Rabbi met wetsrol
Marc Chagall
Religion fascinated Chagall throughout his life; just as his Russian heritage defined him, so did his Jewish background. The subject of this painting is a rabbi wearing traditional dress appropriate for praying. As the title implies, the rabbi is holding a torah scroll, which is the most important text in the Jewish religion. Chagall's painting from 1914, The Praying Jew, exhibits a nearly identical figure in the same pose. In this gouache, however, a snow covered scene of a Russian village emerges in the background. Also, in contrast to the earlier work, Chagall uses a more naturalistic approach here, digressing from his earlier cubist tendencies. He applies a sombre pallet, as opposed to his earlier, more brightly coloured paintings.
Makers
Translated title
Rabbi with Torah Scroll
Collection
Production date
ca. 1930
Library
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Dimensions
91.9 x 73.5 x 3cm.
Material
gouache on board
Object number
A 6427
