“Solomon on the throne (I Kings, X, 18-20)” is an artwork created by Marc Chagall around 1956 in France. Executed in the medium of etching on paper, this piece belongs to the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement. Measuring 32 by 24.1 cm, the artwork is categorized under the genre of religious painting and is part of the series “Etchings for the Bible” which spans the years 1930 to 1939 and 1952 to 1956.
The artwork portrays a regal Solomon, seated on his throne amidst an aura of solemnity and grandeur. The etching vividly captures the essence of ancient biblical narratives, rendered through Chagall’s distinctive, primitivist style. Solomon, adorned in royal attire and crowned, is delineated with an air of wisdom and authority. The throne is flanked by imposing lions, symbolizing strength and vigilance, contributing to the majestic atmosphere of the piece. The backdrop, intricately detailed, features architectural elements that evoke a sense of sacrosanct space, inherently tied to the sitter’s divinely ordained kingship. Through nuanced etching on paper, Chagall successfully conveys both the spiritual gravitas and the historical grandeur associated with King Solomon.
