HIGHLIGHT

Marc Chagall, a Jewish artist, Moses was one of the most significant recurring subjects throughout his career. Born in 1887 into a Jewish family in Vitebsk, Chagall experienced the tragedies of persecution and the Holocaust. Even after moving to Paris, he continued to preserve his identity as a Jewish artist throughout his life. His works frequently feature pastoral motifs reflecting nostalgia for his homeland, as well as religious themes drawn from the Bible. Simultaneously, he was also known as the “painter of love,” with many celebrated works depicting romantic relationships, marriage, and dreamlike visions.

The figure of Moses depicted in the present work is the great prophet who appears in the Old Testament’s Book of Exodus. Moses led the Hebrews (the Jewish people), who had been enslaved in Egypt, to freedom and received the Ten Commandments from God, establishing the foundation of Judaism. For Chagall, Moses represented not only the history of the Jewish people itself, but also a symbolic figure who guided humanity toward hope even in times of hardship.

In this work, Moses is depicted with a gentle and serene smile. While he appears as a figure filled with compassion, the powerful use of yellow conveys a radiant presence, suggesting his role as one who repeatedly communed with God. Although the face and form of the figure embraced by Moses are not clearly defined, the composition evokes a profound sense of love, comfort, and acceptance, as if embracing and sheltering all people. The intense red tones that fill the background and the luminous yellow hues create a vivid harmony characteristic of Chagall, who was often called the “magician of color.” These vibrant colors bring a celebratory and uplifting atmosphere to the entire composition. The bold, confident outlines and expressive brushwork further resonate with the brilliant colors, resulting in a powerful work that fully reveals the distinctive charm of Chagall’s artistic vision.