The artwork, titled “They were in forty pairs…”, was created by Marc Chagall in 1948. This piece is part of the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement and falls under the genre of illustration. It is a part of the series “The Arabian Nights.”
The artwork is a rich tapestry of vivid colors and dynamic figures, characteristic of Chagall’s imaginative and emotional style. The scene is dominated by a central female figure, possibly an iconic mythical or literary character, who is surrounded by a multitude of smaller figures. The background is adorned with abstract shapes and structures, giving a sense of depth and mystery. The use of red and orange tones imparts a dreamlike, almost surreal atmosphere to the piece. Musical instruments scattered around the figures and the animated postures of the characters suggest a lively, festive, or ceremonial event. The overall composition and thematic elements reflect the enchanting and fantastical narrative of “The Arabian Nights.”
