The artwork titled “Mother and Child” was created by Marc Chagall in 1956 in France. It is rendered in lithography on paper and belongs to the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement. The dimensions of the artwork are 66 by 50.5 centimeters, and it is classified as a genre painting.
The imagery in the artwork depicts a tender scene of a mother holding her child, rendered in an expressive, almost whimsical manner characteristic of Chagall’s work. The figures are portrayed using bold lines and a minimalistic approach, with the mother adorned in a simple, flowing garment, her hair cascading in loose curls. Her eyes are closed, suggesting a sense of serenity and protection. Adjacent to the maternal figure is a large, stylized bird with outstretched wings, its form gracefully curving to create a dynamic interplay between the human and avian elements. The bird’s eye is wide open, looking attentively, adding a mystical dimension to the scene. In the lower right corner, a small illustration of buildings with billowing smoke hints at an underlying narrative, evoking themes of home, safety, or possibly unsettlement. Chagall’s use of black and white enhances the emotive quality of the composition, imbuing it with both simplicity and depth.
