The artwork “Old Woman with a Ball of Yarn” by Marc Chagall, created around 1906 in Liozna, near Vitebsk, Belarus, is distinguished by its use of charcoal, gouache, oil, and cardboard as mediums. This portrait, representing the Expressionism movement, is housed in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, Russia.
The artwork features an elderly woman deeply engaged in her knitting task, holding a ball of yarn with a humble, introspective demeanor. The use of earthy and muted tones emphasizes a sense of melancholy and timelessness. The woman’s face is rendered with delicate lines and expressive brushstrokes, capturing her age and the quiet concentration she imposes on her work. Chagall’s Expressionist style is evident in the emotive portrayal, with vibrant yet somber hues alluding to the depth of the woman’s life experiences. The surrounding space is abstract, allowing the viewer to focus singularly on the woman and her activity, thus creating a poignant and intimate scene.
