Desperate to have a child within her late husband's family line, Tamar is denied this right by her husband's brothers. Learning that her father-in-law is going on a trip, Tamar seizes the opportunity. Donning a veil and disguising herself as a prostitute, she tricks Judah into sleeping with her. As payment, she takes his staff, seal and cord until he can provide her with a goat. She disappears with his belongings but, three months later when she is condemned to death due to her extramarital pregnancy. After sending Judah his effects to reveal the identity of the father, Tamar is saved from him, and goes on to give birth to twins. This intricate family history in which the woman takes an active role is particularly interesting. Chagall understood that Tamar's power lies in her hidden identity and in her control of her sexuality. By foregrounding her voluminous figure, he emphasizes her central role.

Created in 1960, this original color lithograph was featured as part of a series of 24 color prints made by Marc Chagall to illustrate The Bible. Published by Verve, Paris and printed by Mourlot, Paris on Arches wove paper, this work is numbered 6/50 in pencil in the lower left margin (from the numbered edition of 50) and hand-signed by Marc Chagall (1887 - 1985) in pencil in the lower right margin.

Illustrated in:
1. Gauss, Ulrike, ed. Marc Chagall - The Lithographs, La Collection Sorlier. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 243.
2. Mourlot, Fernand. The Lithographs of Chagall, vol. II, 1957 - 1962. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 243 on pgs. 74-5; detailed on pg. 66.
3. Cramer, Patrick. Marc Chagall, The Illustrated Books: Catalogue Raisonné. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 42 on pgs. 144-7.