The Wolf and the Lamb 1927 - 1930

Marc Chagall created the etching, "The Wolf and the Lamb", using stark contrasts to evoke a sense of unease. The composition is dominated by the figures of a wolf carrying a lamb, set against a densely etched background. The texture is raw, achieved through dense crosshatching. The use of black and white enhances the dramatic tension, emphasizing the stark reality of the wolf's predatory act. Chagall destabilizes traditional pastoral scenes, infusing it with a darker, more primal narrative. The wolf's form is angular, almost violent, contrasting with the lamb's round softness. This interplay disrupts conventional allegories of innocence and corruption, challenging viewers to confront uncomfortable aspects of existence. The work does not seek to resolve moral dilemmas, but rather to lay bare the fundamental conflicts inherent in nature and human nature.