“Now the King loved science and geometry…” is an illustration created by Marc Chagall in 1948. This artwork is part of the “The Arabian Nights” series and is associated with the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement. The illustration depicts a vivid scene rendered in Chagall’s distinctive style, characterized by bright colors and fantastical elements.
The artwork captures a moment of scholarly reverence and courtly life, featuring a central figure—presumably the king—engaged in a thoughtful or instructive pose. The setting is enveloped in rich, warm hues of red, punctuated by brightly colored characters and intricate patterns. Several figures surround the king, including an individual offering a bird, a figure on a remarkable horse, and others gesturing and interacting with animated expressions. The composition is dynamic and vibrant, imbued with a sense of narrative and celebration that aligns with the whimsical and expressive nature of Naïve Art.
