The artwork entitled “Lamentations of Jeremiah (Lamentations III:1-9)” was created by Marc Chagall circa 1956 in France. This piece, executed with etching on paper, is an exemplar of the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement. Measuring 32.9 by 26 cm, the artwork falls within the genre of religious painting and is part of the “Etchings for the Bible” series, created between 1930-1939 and 1952-1956.
The artwork presents a deeply expressive figure, presumed to be Jeremiah, the biblical prophet known for his profound laments. The etching captures a sense of intense sorrow and contemplation; Jeremiah is depicted with a hand covering part of his distressed face, embodying a poignant moment of mourning. Detailed lines emphasize the textures of the figure’s face and garments, suffusing the composition with emotion. The use of shading and line work creates a somber mood, befitting the theme of lamentation.
