The artwork titled “Potiphar’s wife unsuccessfully tries to seduce Joseph (Genesis XXXIX, 7 9),” created by Marc Chagall around 1956 in France, is an etching on paper belonging to the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement. With dimensions of 30.1 x 25 cm, this religious painting is part of the series “Etchings for the Bible (1930-1939; 1952-1956).”
In the artwork, Marc Chagall portrays a scene from the Book of Genesis where Potiphar’s wife attempts to seduce Joseph. The composition captures the moment of her failed seduction with dramatic intensity. Potiphar’s wife is depicted reclining on a couch, semi-nude and imposing, reaching out towards Joseph, who is shown turning away and retreating, his expression and posture conveying his rejection and conflict. The background, detailed with curtains and bedding, emphasizes the personal and intimate setting of this Biblical narrative. The use of etching techniques brings a rich texture and depth to the piece, reflecting Chagall’s distinctive style within the Naïve Art movement.
