“The Jacob’s Dream,” an artwork created by Marc Chagall around 1963 in France, epitomizes the Surrealist movement. Executed using gouache, Indian ink, pastel, and paper, this piece measures 35.7 x 53 cm and is categorized within the sketch and study genre.
The artwork is a visual portrayal of a dreamlike scene, brimming with symbolic elements. At the center, a figure stands in contemplation or prayer. To the left, a ladder adorned with ascending figures likely alludes to the biblical story of Jacob’s Ladder. Ethereal beings and celestial symbols populate the scene, enhancing the mystical and dreamlike quality characteristic of Chagall’s work. Employing a monochromatic palette and expressive brushstrokes, the composition invokes a sense of otherworldly vision and metaphysical introspection. The overall ambiance is one of spiritual exploration, aligning with the Surrealist aim to transcend the boundaries of reality and delve into the unconscious mind.
