Marc Chagall: King Solomon, 1956, Original Lithograph Verve Bible

 

Solomon was known as the wisest of all Jewish kings. To this day, we speak of a "Solomonic judgment" when we mean an astute and wise decision. In this illustration, Chagall portrayed the King as a guiding light with raised hands. Most probably, he alludes to Solomon's faithful relation to God and his peaceful governmental policy. However, his crown sits slightly skew on his head... despite the Jewish King often being idealised, he was only a feeling being, after all which can be seen in his pomposity, which led him to exploit his people. In the bottom left-hand corner, Chagall insinuates the Tablets of Law, and above them the seven-branched candelabrum, hinting at the fact that Solomon had the first pompous and sumptuous temple of Jerusalem erected.

The King is protected by an arc of light spanning over him, with a clear-cut boundary to the top. Maybe Chagall wants to suggest that, despite his power, the King was only a human being and not god-like as the Pharaoh in Egypt was seen at the same time. Especially the purple colouring of the graphic is very eye-catching. It suggests that Solomon's actions were penetrated and determined by God's spirit.