The artwork titled “The Sacrifice of Isaac” was created by Marc Chagall around 1964 in France. This piece is a sketch and study made with pastel on paper and is part of the Naïve Art (Primitivism) art movement. The artwork measures approximately 33.3 x 24.5 cm.
Within the artwork, the emotional narrative of the biblical tale is depicted with a distinct expressionistic style characteristic of Chagall’s oeuvre. The pastel colors are applied with a dynamic and fluid spontaneity, creating a dreamlike quality to the scene. The central figures appear to be in an intense moment, possibly reflecting the dramatic climax of the story. The figures are rendered with a simplicity that echoes the naiveté of Primitivism, yet they encapsulate a profusion of expressive emotion. The use of color, form, and composition might also suggest an ethereal presence, possibly indicative of the divine intervention that is central to the biblical narrative.
