The artwork titled “The people of Israel leaving Egypt (Exodus, XIII, 18-22)” is an etching on paper created by Marc Chagall around the year 1956 in France. This piece belongs to the art movement known as Naïve Art (Primitivism) and is a part of the series “Etchings for the Bible” which spanned from 1930-1939 and 1952-1956. The etching, a religious painting, measures 24.9 by 32.9 cm.
The artwork depicts a large assembly of people, symbolizing the Israelites, as they embark on their exodus from Egypt. The multitude is shown in varied poses and expressions, suggestive of their collective and individual experiences. Dominating the upper right quadrant is a celestial figure with an outstretched arm and wings, possibly representing divine guidance, while leading and protecting the people. The scene is intricately detailed, with careful attention to the rendering of each figure, capturing the gravity and reverence of the biblical narrative. The monochromatic palette and the etching technique give the artwork a timeless and solemn tone, aligning with the spiritual and historic essence of the theme.
