Marc Chagall: The Bible

In 1931, Marc Chagall was commissioned by the celebrated art dealer and publisher Ambroise Vollard to produce a series of etchings illustrating themes and events from the Bible. The project held special significance for Chagall, whose upbringing in Vitebsk and early exposure to Hasidic Judaism permeated much of the imagery in his artwork. Chagall traveled to Palestine to absorb the setting of the Old Testament, and was inspired by the solemn beauty of the area and its splendid light. Upon his return to Paris he began work on the series, first in the period between 1931 and 1939 and then from 1952 to 1956. Published in 1956 by the influential publisher Teriade, who superintended the project after the unexpected death of Vollard in 1939, the Bible series ultimately comprised two volumes and 105 etchings. Apart from the numbered edition of 295 produced from the series, 100 albums on Velin d'Arches paper were later hand-colored, signed, and numbered by Chagall and published as a separate edition in 1958.

Chagall's visual interpretation of the scenes included in the Bible series is both independent and uniquely humanist. Through psychologically acute portraits of key individuals in decisive moments, Chagall illustrates the Old Testament as a cycle of historic encounters between man and God.

The Bible etchings vary between pure expression and illustration: some distill the essence of the text in a more or less matter-of-fact way while others take advantage of the evocative language of the narrative to enhance their own pictorial qualities. Nevertheless each of Chagall's etchings remains faithful to their textual source, enhancing the accessibility of the biblical message. Chagall's deceptively simple, lyrical images emphasize the values of hope and love, brotherhood and forgiveness, grace and joy, and even in the darkest passages, Chagall's effervescent faith shines through.