The artwork titled “Red Maternity” is a lithograph on paper created by Marc Chagall around 1980. This piece is notable for being part of the Naïve Art movement, also referred to as Primitivism. The dimensions of “Red Maternity” are significant, measuring approximately 116 x 75 cm. The genre of this artwork is classified as genre painting, a style that depicts scenes from everyday life.
“Red Maternity” showcases Chagall’s signature ethereal and poetic style, characterized by vibrant colors and dreamlike imagery that often blend fantasy with reality. The central figure is a woman clad in a red garment, holding a child, perhaps symbolizing the concept of motherhood and its universal significance. Above her is a floating white bird, a motif recurrent in Chagall’s work, possibly signifying hope, peace, or the soul. In the background, there are additional figures resembling a pair of individuals and another holding a child, reinforcing the maternal theme.
The dreamy landscape includes a slender tower that rises high into the sky, bending slightly, which evokes the Eiffel Tower, a common landmark in Chagall’s art, hinting at a Parisian setting. The gentle scribbles and a blurred depiction of the environment contribute to the painting’s whimsical and otherworldly atmosphere. The artwork’s loose, flowing lines and the overall composition are reflective of the artist’s idiosyncratic approach to form and perspective, which disregards conventional realism in favor of emotional expression. Overall, “Red Maternity” encapsulates a timeless and heartwarming theme through Chagall’s distinctively imaginative and poetic lens.
