The Feast of the TabernaclesMarc Chagall · 1916

Identification of the Artwork and Artist

The Feast of the Tabernacles is a genre painting by the artist Marc Chagall. This work was executed in 1916 in Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation. The piece is a gouache on paper that captures a specific communal gathering.

Marc Chagall produced this work during a period of significant stylistic development. The painting is categorized as a genre painting, focusing on the depiction of everyday life and social customs. The composition centers on a group of figures gathered under a tent, participating in a ritualistic meal. The artist utilizes the medium of gouache to establish the forms and colors present in the scene.

Composition and Visual Elements

The composition centers on a dining table situated beneath a green tent canopy. This table acts as the focal point for a gathering of at least nine people. Several individuals are positioned close to the table, while others are situated further away in the background. Some figures are depicted holding cups, and one individual appears to be interacting with a rooster on the right side of the frame. A central figure holds an etrog and a lulav, which are traditional elements of the Sukkot festival. The arrangement of these figures creates a sense of community and social interaction through their proximity and gestures.

The artist employs Cubist techniques to structure the scene, breaking down objects and figures into geometric shapes and overlapping planes. This approach creates a dynamic arrangement where the boundaries between the people, the furniture, and the tent are defined by fragmented forms. The use of these geometric divisions contributes to a dreamlike atmosphere within the village setting. The color palette and the fragmentation of the planes organize the space into a series of interconnected layers rather than a single, continuous perspective.