“Song of Songs V” by Marc Chagall, created around 1965 in France, is a captivating artwork rendered using charcoal, Indian ink, pencil, and paper. This piece, emerging from the Surrealist art movement, measures 26.5 x 39.5 cm and is a part of the “Song of Songs” series. Classified as a sketch and study, the artwork exudes an ethereal and dreamlike aura typical of Chagall’s style.
The artwork features a vivid amalgamation of fantastical elements and figures, intertwined in a surreal and emotionally evocative composition. Dominated by a celestial focal point—a radiant, multi-colored star shape surrounded by an ethereal glow—it sets a mystical tone for the entire piece. An angelic figure, holding what appears to be a sacred text, hovers gracefully on the left side, imparting a divine presence. Surrounding this celestial entity are flowing, delicate human forms, possibly signifying spiritual beings or muses, in various states of flight and repose.
Towards the bottom left, a blue-hued animal, likely a goat or a sheep, adds an element of pastoral tranquility, juxtaposed with the more abstract and cosmic elements above. Meanwhile, a group of robed figures seemingly engage in a ritual or procession near the lower center, contributing to the narrative depth. The landscape is replete with abstract, swirling forms and vibrant colors, enhancing the surreal and dreamlike quality of the composition. The right side of the artwork portrays a lush, blossoming tree next to a small, quaint dwelling, injecting a touch of earthly reality amidst the surrealism.
