The artwork titled “Jew in Green” was created by Marc Chagall in 1914 in Liozna, near Vitebsk, Belarus. This piece, rendered in oil on cardboard, is a Cubist portrait measuring 98 by 78 centimeters. It is currently held in a private collection.
The artwork depicts an elderly man with a vividly green face, contrasting sharply with his long, yellow beard. He is dressed in a worn, dark jacket and hat, which blend into the somber background. The man appears to be deeply engaged in an activity, perhaps reading or contemplating, as suggested by his introspective expression and posture. The use of green and yellow hues emphasizes the emotional and expressive quality characteristic of Chagall’s work. The text in the background, composed of Hebrew script, ties the figure to Jewish heritage, further contextualizing the portrait within a rich cultural framework. The overall composition and coloration reflect the influence of Cubism, evident in the fragmented and abstracted forms that Chagall employs.
