The artwork, titled “Samuel is pouring anointing oil to Saul’s head in sign of coronation him as King of Israel (I Samuel, IX, 27; XX, I),” was created by Marc Chagall circa 1956 in France. This piece, rendered in etching on paper, belongs to the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement and forms part of the “Etchings for the Bible” series spanning from 1930-1939 and 1952-1956. It is a religious painting with dimensions of 32.4 by 22.5 centimeters.
The artwork vividly depicts the biblical scene in which Samuel anoints Saul as the king of Israel. Employing loose, expressive lines, Chagall captures the solemnity and sacredness of this pivotal moment in religious history. Saul is portrayed with a serene yet contemplative expression, signifying his acceptance of his divinely ordained role. Samuel, clothed in dark, flowing robes, performs the anointing with a reverent posture, imbuing the artwork with a deep sense of spirituality and devotion. The ethereal, somewhat abstract background enhances the timeless and transcendent quality of this powerful scene.
