The artwork named “Moses Breaks Tablets of Law,” created by Marc Chagall in 1966 in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France, exemplifies the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement. This lithographic masterpiece on paper, with dimensions of 49.6 x 36.8 cm, is part of the series “The Story of the Exodus (1966)” and falls under the genre of religious painting.
The artwork vividly depicts the biblical scene where Moses, in a moment of divine rage, shatters the Tablets of Law. It firmly anchors itself within a religious and historical context. Dominated by a dynamic composition, the artwork portrays Moses with arms raised, suggesting a motion of intense energy and divine exasperation. The background features dark, swirling forms interjected by an angelic figure descending from above, symbolizing divine presence and intervention. Below Moses, the fragments of the Tablets of Law lie on the ground, inscribed with Hebrew characters, effectively symbolizing the broken covenant. Surrounding the central scene, the portrayal of the Israelites appears in a state of despair and confusion, adding to the dramatic narrative of the event. The color palette, characterized by deep purples, reds, and subtle whites, enhances the emotional intensity and spiritual depth of the scene.
