The artwork titled “Study to ‘Moses with the Burning Bush'” was rendered by Marc Chagall circa 1963 in France. Executed in pastel on paper, this piece is representative of the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement, and belongs to the genre of sketch and study.
In this evocative study, Chagall employs vibrant pastel colors against a dark background to bring life to the biblical scene of Moses encountering the Burning Bush. Central to the composition, a figure presumed to be Moses is depicted in shades of green, adorned with a crown-like headpiece, gazing upwards in awe. Above him, ethereal forms including a white dove-like figure with touches of pink can be observed, possibly symbolizing divine presence or the Holy Spirit. Surrounding Moses, abstract forms and vibrant colors such as blue, yellow, and brown populate the scene, hinting at the fiery bush and the mystical ambiance of the encounter. The composition is characterized by fluid lines and an expressive use of color that typify Chagall’s unique style, capturing the spiritual and dynamic nature of the biblical narrative.
