Marc Chagall’s artwork titled “Noah’s Ark” was created around 1963 in France. This sketch and study, executed in pastel on paper, encapsulates elements of Naïve Art, sometimes referred to as Primitivism. The piece’s dimensions are modest, measuring approximately 30.3 cm in height by 23.5 cm in width.
The artwork presents a vibrant, dreamlike depiction that seems to be drawn from the biblical story of Noah’s Ark. In this pastel, there is a playful interplay of forms and figures that are typical of Chagall’s style, with vivid colors enhancing the whimsical nature of the scene. The composition appears to be a swirling arrangement of animals and human figures that float or stand within the frame, abstracted to various degrees. One can observe several creatures that may represent the diversity of animal life that Noah is said to have saved from the flood, according to the biblical narrative.
The style is marked by a spontaneous and instinctive use of line and color, with less concern for realistic proportions and perspectives—which is characteristic of Naïve Art. The artwork emits a sense of joy and spirituality, which is often found in Chagall’s oeuvre. Despite the simplicity of the technique, there is a profound emotional depth and symbolic resonance that invites contemplation of the tale’s themes of salvation, divine intervention, and the relationship between humans and the natural world.
