“The Jacob’s Dream,” created by Marc Chagall circa 1963 in France, exemplifies a notable piece of Surrealist art. The artwork, measuring 37 x 58 cm, combines gouache, oil, pastel, and paper mediums to form a religious painting inspired by the Biblical narrative of Jacob’s dream.
The artwork is a vivid and complex composition, rendered primarily in monochrome with a wash of pastels, oils, and gouache. It depicts a dreamlike scene showcasing Jacob from the Biblical story, surrounded by celestial beings. Central to the piece is an ethereal ladder stretching upwards, symbolizing Jacob’s Ladder, which in the Biblical tale connects heaven and earth and is populated by angels. These abstract, spiritual entities seem to float and ascend amidst the enigmatic and surreal background. The painterly quality and fluid forms contribute to the mystical atmosphere, offering viewers an otherworldly vision deeply imbued with spiritual and surreal elements characteristic of Chagall’s distinct style.
