The artwork, titled “Joseph and Potiphar’s wife,” was created by Marc Chagall in 1931 in Paris, France. Rendered using gouache and oil on paper, the piece belongs to the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement and is categorized as a religious painting. Measuring 62.5 by 48.5 centimeters, it illustrates a scene drawn from a biblical narrative.
In the artwork, a dramatic moment is captured wherein Potiphar’s wife reaches out to seize Joseph, who is attempting to flee from her. The depiction emphasizes the emotional tension of the scene through Chagall’s use of bold colors and expressive brushwork. Potiphar’s wife is shown reclining, scantily clad and adorned with a crown, her expression seemingly intent on seduction. She is set against a background of swirling hues, highlighting the tumultuous nature of her desire. Joseph, depicted in darker tones, embodies resistance and determination, distancing himself from her grasp with an assertive posture. The contrast between the two figures—the vivid, almost chaotic background against the more subdued and somber figure of Joseph—further dramatizes the narrative, underscoring themes of virtue and temptation.
