The artwork, created by Marc Chagall in 1931 in Paris, France, depicts the biblical scene of Moses casting his stick, which transformed into a snake at the behest of the Lord, symbolizing the divine encounter referenced in Exodus IV, 1-5, and VII, 8-13. This piece belongs to the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement and is rendered in gouache and watercolor on paper, measuring 63 by 49 centimeters. It is categorized as a religious painting.
The artwork captures a profound biblical moment with a sense of mysticism and reverence. Dominantly featuring Moses in the act of casting his staff, which has miraculously transformed into a snake, the image conveys a dynamic interaction between the divine and human realms. Moses, depicted with an outstretched arm and a gaze fixed upon the snake, is surrounded by a crowd of onlookers, enhancing the scene’s dramatic intensity. The use of gouache and watercolor lends a dreamlike quality to the painting, with soft, diffused colors that evoke a sense of spiritual wonder. The figures, rendered with a simplicity characteristic of Naïve Art, draw the viewer into the narrative, inviting contemplation of the miraculous event portrayed.
