Illustrations of the Bible

In 1930, Vollard presented Chagall another commission: illustrations of the Bible. The illustrations completed only in 1956, after Vollard's death in 1939 and the outbreak of World War II. That same year, it was published by Tériade, in a two-volume edition comprising 105 etchings.

Although he was familiar with the works of the old masters, especially Rembrandt's portrayals of Biblical themes, his depictions are independent of all previous iconography and the traditional conventions. Rather, Chagall based his etchings on his personal memories and his impressions from his 1931 trip to Palestine.

He sums up his love for the Bible as follows: "Since my earliest childhood I have been captivated by the Bible. It has always seemed to me the greatest source of poetry of all time. Ever since then I have sought its reflection in life and art. The Bible is like an echo of nature, and this is the secret I have tried to convey."