The artwork titled “Then the boy was displayed to the Dervish…” was created by Marc Chagall in 1948. Falling under the art movement of Naïve Art (Primitivism), it is a literary painting that forms part of the “The Arabian Nights” series.
The artwork, suffused with vibrant hues and whimsical elements, portrays a dervish in dialogue with a young boy. The boy stands naked except for colorful shorts, illuminated by a bright, ethereal light, while the dervish, adorned in a robe and turban, seems to be emphasizing a point with a hand gesture. The backdrop is enriched with mystical imagery, including a woman in an iridescent halo surrounded by natural motifs which include trees and plants. The artwork exudes a sense of otherworldly narrative, blending the realm of fairy tales with Chagall’s unique artistic expression.
