“The Descent towards Sodom” is a religious painting created by Marc Chagall around 1931 in Paris, France. This artwork, which belongs to the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement, is rendered using gouache, oil, and paper, and measures 62.7 by 49.1 centimeters.
The artwork depicts a biblical scene characterized by its ethereal and dreamlike visual qualities. The composition features five figures, comprising of three angels and two human forms, presumably Lot and his family, as they descend towards the infamous city of Sodom. The figures are rendered in soft, pasty hues with a predominance of whites, blues, and purples, lending a celestial ambiance to the scene. The background is diffuse and atmospheric, adding a sense of otherworldliness to the descent. The characters’ forms are simplified yet expressive, typical of Chagall’s unique style within the Naïve Art movement. The artwork captures a moment of divine intervention and moral gravity, inviting contemplation of the larger narrative it represents.
