“The Calling of Ezekiel (Ezekiel, II, 8X, III, 3)” is an etching on paper created circa 1956 by the renowned artist Marc Chagall in France. The artwork falls within the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement and measures 33.8 by 25.6 centimeters. It is part of the “Etchings for the Bible” series, produced from 1930-1939 and 1952-1956. The genre of this etching is religious painting.
The artwork depicts a poignant scene, presumably from the biblical call of the prophet Ezekiel. The composition portrays a figure, perhaps representing Ezekiel, who appears deeply engaged with a scroll, held by another hand. The etching style imparts a raw and textured quality, emblematic of the Primitivism art movement, which is characterized by simplicity and directness of expression. The grayscale tones enhance the spiritual and evocative nature of the narrative. The viewer is drawn to the interaction between the hands and the manuscript, capturing a moment of deep significance and divine engagement. Chagall’s distinguished technique and profound subject matter combine to create a thought-provoking piece that evokes reflection on the religious and mystical themes of the Biblical text.
