Joshua Reads the Word of the Law
Joshua Reads the Word of the Law
Marc Chagall
Russian-French, 1889 - 1985
Engraving
11 3/4 x 9 1/4 in. (29.8 x 23.5 cm)
Edition 77/275. A powerful image from Chagall's monumental Bible series, this engraving depicts Joshua addressing the assembled people of Israel — his commanding presence dominating the foreground while a crowd of figures recedes behind him in attitudes of reverence and awe. Working entirely in black and white, Chagall demonstrates the full expressive force of pure line and tone, the dense crosshatching lending the scene a gravitas befitting the moment. A larger edition than the hand-colored etchings, this is nonetheless a fine and characterful impression — and a compelling example of Chagall's biblical storytelling at its most direct.
