“The Adoration of the Golden Calf” by Marc Chagall, created in 1966 in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France, is a lithograph on paper measuring 44.7 x 32.5 cm. This artwork is part of the series “The Story of the Exodus” and falls under the genre of religious painting. Chagall’s piece is a representation of the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement.
The artwork vividly depicts a chaotic and dynamic scene, centralized around a golden calf placed on an altar, as referenced in the biblical story of the Exodus. Surrounding the calf are figures in various expressive postures, with raised arms and animated gestures, representing the adoration and worship of the idol. The figures are rendered in a Naïve Art style, marked by simplified forms and a vibrant, somewhat unrefined technique that emphasizes emotion and storytelling. The composition is filled with symbolic and narrative elements, capturing the fervor and intensity of the moment. The use of earthy tones interspersed with splashes of brighter colors adds depth and contrast, enhancing the dramatic atmosphere of the scene.
