Interpretation of Deborah By Marc Chargall
The artist Marc Chagall was a 20th century artist who had a complex background. He was Russian, French and most of all had a Jewish upbringing. [1] Chagall moved from Russia to France to pursue his interest in Art and became interested in Fauvism ibid. [2] Fauvism is a style of painting with vivid expressionistic and non-naturalistic use of color that started in the early 1900’s in France. During the 2nd world war in France there were political, economic and sociological strains on women. During the invasion of France by the German in 1939, the fathers, sons and brothers of all women had been recruited to fight Germany. The women during this period had a shift in their domestic duties.[3] Most of them had to move to more industrial work because some of the men had returned injured or were still out in battle. [4]Some may argue that women did achieve liberation during WWII but I believe they achieved only a little to no liberation. Chagall’s painting of Deborah in 1956 was influenced by his experiences of WWII. He believed women were the influential forces during the war but women were in no way going to partake in the physical rivalry with Germany and he uses his painting to show the political and sociocultural aspects of that era and also to prove that immigrants and Jews resonated with the French culture and treatment of women’s roles.
In Chagall’s painting we do see the influence of Fauvism in the colors he uses. Fauvism is defined by google to be a Style of painting with vivid expressionistic and non-naturalistic use of color that started in the early 1900’s in France. Even though Fauvism rapidly became outdated Chagall’s art still had a particular interest in abstract influences[5]. The two colors used in this image are yellow and orange. On Deborah’s cheeks and palm are a flush of yellow and Barak is holding a red handkerchief which is flushed bright red. Yellow typically stands for hope, loyalty and honor whereas red is a color of difficulty, war, blood or danger. These colors represent the gender roles of the mid to late 1900’s. Deborah, who represents the women of France, is being depicted as loyal to Barak by telling him he has to go fight because the Lord has told her to inform him of this duty. All Deborah could do was to Inform Barak and tell him what was best to do. There is also this element of displacement or fear in Judges 4 where Barak asks for Deborah to fight as well but she says she can’t but will walk with him. Women in France carried out something similar by taking on more of the industrial jobs, knitting and being supportive while the men were fighting. [6] Even though French women achieved some form of liberation by influencing the political situation in France[7], they were still considered second class citizens. They were considered second class because they did not have any political rights and the bread winner mentality was very much still alive.[8]
Not forgetting that Chagall was a Jewish immigrant from Russia[9] his intent might have been to build acceptance into the French society and political sphere by giving a voice to the Jewish population through his art. As mentioned above his interest in Art that was termed radical and the fact that he was Jewish did not make his situation better. Knowing that Europe has the largest population of Jews compared to other first world countries, there we still Anti-Semitic practices. During World War 2, there were shortages in food supply and the immigrant population’s families were the first asked to cut back on using certain food supplies.[10] The first families to cut back on food supplies were the Russians and lastly the French families.[11]In view of the fact that France had Anti-Semitic behavior, Chagall must have wanted to inform the French economy that Jews were very much in tune and in agreement with their religious views and wanted acceptance. Politically statistics show that women have strong agency in the development of weaker welfare states like France and Germany. They have strong influence in the construction of social agencies in weak states[12]. Even though women have strong influences, their powers remain only in their influences but not in carrying out action just like Deborah.
[1] Harshay, Benjamin, Marc Chagall, and Barbara Harshav. Marc Chagall and his times: a documentary narrative. Stanford University Press, 2004.
[2] Harshay, Benjamin, Marc Chagall, and Barbara Harshay, 1.
[3] Brenner, Johanna, and Maria Ramas. "Rethinking women's oppression." Modernity: Critical Concepts (1999): 126-152.
[4] Brenner, Johanna, and Maria Ramas, 126-152.
[5] Harshay, Benjamin, Marc Chagall, and Barbara Harshay, 2[2] Harshay, Benjamin, Marc Chagall, and Barbara Harshay, 1.
[3] Brenner, Johanna, and Maria Ramas. "Rethinking women's oppression." Modernity: Critical Concepts (1999): 126-152.
[4] Brenner, Johanna, and Maria Ramas, 126-152.
[6] Brenner, Johanna, and Maria Ramas, 126-152.
[7] Brenner, Johanna, and Maria Ramas, 126-152.
[8] Coale, Ansley J."The decline of fertility in Europe from the French Revolution to World War II." (1969).
[9] Harshay, Benjamin, Marc Chagall, and Barbara Harshay, 1
[10] Brenner, Johanna, and Maria Ramas, 126-152.
11] Brenner, Johanna, and Maria Ramas, 126-152.
[12] Siim, Birte. Gender and citizenship: Politics and agency in France, Britain and Denmark. Cambridge University Press, 2000.
[7] Brenner, Johanna, and Maria Ramas, 126-152.
[8] Coale, Ansley J."The decline of fertility in Europe from the French Revolution to World War II." (1969).
[9] Harshay, Benjamin, Marc Chagall, and Barbara Harshay, 1
[10] Brenner, Johanna, and Maria Ramas, 126-152.
11] Brenner, Johanna, and Maria Ramas, 126-152.
[12] Siim, Birte. Gender and citizenship: Politics and agency in France, Britain and Denmark. Cambridge University Press, 2000.
