Inspired by the words from the Book of Genesis — “Naphtali is a doe set free, bearing beautiful words” (Genesis 49:21) — the artist creates an image of lightness, movement, and spiritual ascent. The surrounding elements radiate abundance: branches, fruits, and a warm, glowing light.
This is not merely a biblical motif, but a poetic reflection on freedom, the gifts of the earth, and inner harmony.
In the late 1950s, Marc Chagall received a commission to create stained glass windows for the synagogue of the Hadassah Medical Center – Hebrew University, located in the Judean Hills of Jerusalem. One window was to represent each of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, each with a unique composition. Under Chagall’s guidance, these sketches were transformed into lithographs at the Mourlot Studio in Paris and printed in 1962.
Marc Zakharovich Chagall (1887–1985) was a painter and graphic artist, one of the most significant representatives of the 20th-century artistic avant-garde. He is known for his distinctive style, combining elements of Primitivism, Cubism, Symbolism, and Surrealism.