Moïse et les Tables de la Loi (M. 382)

Details

Marc Chagall
Moïse et les Tables de la Loi (M. 382)
lithograph, 1963, on Arches, signed in pencil, numbered 17/20, the full sheet, a deckle edge at left and right, mount and light-staining, a very small stain in the lower subject, otherwise in good condition, framed
P. 675 x 500 mm., S. 763 x 560 mm.

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Lot Essay

In visual representations of Moses with the tablets of the law he is often depicted with horns. This is due to a mistranslation of the original Hebrew text describing his descent from Mount Sinai with a glowing or radiant face. It was translated as 'horns of light', which shares the same root letters as 'rays of light'. As this was taken literally by many Medieval and Renaissance artists, Chagall's decision to depict Moses in this way is presumably a reference to artistic tradition.

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