The artwork titled “The Ark of the Covenant transported to Jerusalem, preceded by David dancing and playing the harp (II Samuel, VI, 1-5)” is an etching on paper created by Marc Chagall around 1956 in France. This piece, measuring 32.9 x 23.2 cm, belongs to the genre of religious painting and is part of the “Etchings for the Bible” series, executed between 1930-1939 and 1952-1956. The artwork is associated with the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement.
The artwork depicts an energetic and spiritually charged scene where King David, playing the harp, exuberantly dances as he leads the procession transporting the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. This event draws from the biblical passage II Samuel, VI, 1-5. The composition illustrates a dynamic atmosphere filled with fervent participants and onlookers, capturing the historical and religious significance of the occasion. The etching technique lends a textured, expressive quality to the piece, enhancing the sense of movement and emotion characteristic of Chagall’s signature style.
