The artwork titled “The Frog Who Wished to Be as Big as the Ox,” created by Marc Chagall in 1930 in France, is an etching belonging to the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement. It is an allegorical painting that is part of the series “Fables of La Fontaine.” The artwork depicts a vivid and lively scene rooted in fable and allegory.
In the artwork, a prominent figure of an ox is rendered in bold, expressive lines and vibrant reds, contrasted against a more subdued and darker background. Elements such as the foliage and trees in shades of green, and what appears to be a circular trough or well, are intricately etched, creating a textured, layered composition. The scene evokes a pastoral setting, emphasizing the contrast between the ambitious frog and the formidable ox, reflecting the moral tale from La Fontaine’s fables. The composition showcases Chagall’s unique style, blending dreamlike elements with a rustic simplicity, characteristic of Naïve Art.
