The artwork titled “The Israelites are Eating the Passover Lamb” is by Marc Chagall, created in 1931 in Paris, France. This religious painting, associated with the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement, employs the mediums of gouache, oil, and paper. The artwork measures 62.5 x 49 cm.
In the artwork, Marc Chagall vividly portrays a significant biblical event. Eight figures are seated around a modest table, partaking in the Passover meal with a lamb at the center, symbolizing the observance of Passover. The expressions of the figures vary, reflecting deep contemplation and reverence for the ritual they are engaged in. Above the scene, an angelic figure, armed with a sword, hovers, symbolizing divine presence and the protection provided to the Israelites. The background is a night sky, perhaps representing the historical context of the original Passover night. The use of dark and contrasting colors enhances the solemn and mystical atmosphere, characteristic of Chagall’s style and deeply rooted in religious iconography.
