Marc Chagall’s “Noah’s Ark,” created around 1963 in France, is a pastel on paper that measures 31.2 x 24.5 cm. This artwork is categorized under the Naïve Art movement, specifically Primitivism, and is recognized as a sketch and study.
The artwork reveals a whimsical and somewhat abstract interpretation of the biblical story of Noah’s Ark. The scene is characterized by fluid, expressive lines and a pastel color palette that imbues the piece with a dreamlike quality. Dominated by shades of blue, brown, and yellow, the composition exhibits a sense of both chaos and harmony, which is typical of the Naïve Art style, where there’s often a disregard for the strict rules of perspective and form.
At the heart of the artwork, there is a depiction of human figures which likely represent Noah and his family. Surrounding these individuals are various animals that appear almost to float or dance across the page, adding a sense of movement and vitality to the work. Creatures that can be distinguished include pairs of birds, fish, and potentially other animals, although the simplicity and abstraction of their forms demand a degree of imagination for clear identification.
Chagall’s distinctive style, which often merges fantasy with everyday life, is evident in this portrayal of the biblical narrative. His use of pastel allows for the blending and overlaying of colors to create a soft, ethereal atmosphere that carries with it an emotional resonance characteristic of his oeuvre. The loose, sketch-like quality suggests that this piece might have been a preliminary study or a standalone work capturing the essence of the story of Noah’s Ark through the artist’s poetic vision.
