The artwork titled “Joseph explains the dreams of Pharaoh (Genesis XLI, 25 28 32)” is by the artist Marc Chagall, created in 1931 in Paris, France. This piece is rendered in gouache and oil on paper, representing the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement. It is classified under the genre of religious paintings.
The artwork depicts a scene from the Bible where Joseph is explaining Pharaoh’s dreams. Pharaoh, portrayed with a solemn and contemplative expression, is seated on a throne, adorned with a golden crown. His green-hued face and detailed attire draw attention. On the right side, Joseph gestures animatedly, engaging in a detailed explanation of the dream’s elements, symbolized by the seven cows in the sky above. The composition reflects Chagall’s characteristic use of vivid yet subdued colors and his unique, almost whimsical interpretation of biblical narratives. The background’s simplicity and the figures’ stylized forms adhere to the Naïve Art sensibility, emphasizing emotional depth and spiritual significance over realistic representation.
