Page 40 - International Iconic July 2024

MAR C
CHAGALL

arc Chagall, born Moyshe Segal in July 1887 in interpretations of the Crucifixion of Christ, which he used to
present-day Belarus, is celebrated as one of the most comment on the persecution of Jews, both in his childhood and
Minfluential and unique artists of the 20th century. His during the rise of the Nazi regime.
upbringing in the town of Vitebsk, rich in Jewish tradition and Chagall’s career in the United States during World War II
folklore, left a profound impact on his artistic vision. This early life further expanded his artistic repertoire. In addition to painting,
experience became a recurring source of inspiration throughout he explored other media, such as tapestries, sculpture, and
his career, spanning an impressive 75 years during which he ceramics. His work in the performing arts included designing sets
produced over 10,000 works of art. and costumes for the American Ballet Theatre’s 1942 production
Chagall’s formal art education began at 19 when he moved to of Tchaikovsky’s Aleko and Igor Stravinsky’s The Firebird in 1945.
St. Petersburg. Here, he was exposed to the Russian avant-garde In the late 1950s, Chagall perfected the art of stained glass,
movement and developed a distinctive style that fused elements creating some of his most acclaimed works. Notable examples
of his childhood memories, Jewish iconography, and the vibrant include the windows for the Cathedral of Metz in France, the
colours of Eastern European folk art. His early works showcase the ceiling of the Paris Opera, and the windows for the United Nations
dreamlike, fantastical qualities that would define his oeuvre. building in New York. These works are celebrated for their
In 1911, Chagall relocated to Paris, the heart of the luminous colour and intricate designs.
contemporary art world. This move was transformative. Immersed Among Chagall’s most renowned works are The Dead
in the city’s dynamic art scene, he encountered various modernist Man (1908), I and the Village (1911), White Crucifixion (1938),
movements and artists, including Pablo Picasso. This exposure and Nocturne (1947). His works have been exhibited in major

“The soil that had nourished the roots of my art was Vitebsk.”

led him to experiment with Cubism and Fauvism, infusing his work retrospectives at prestigious institutions such as Kunsthalle
with a new intensity of colour and form. Chagall’s Paris period Basel, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Art Institute
witnessed innovative works featuring his signature motifs: cows, of Chicago, and the Louvre. Chagall’s legacy includes numerous
roosters, fiddlers, and lovers floating in mid-air, all rendered in a accolades, including the Grand-Croix de la Légion d’honneur in
vibrant, surrealist palette. 1977 and membership in the Royal Academy of Science, Letters
The outbreak of World War I extended Chagall’s visit to Russia, and Fine Arts of Belgium in 1974. Marc Chagall passed away in
where he became involved in the cultural politics of the Bolshevik 1985 in Saint Paul de Vence, leaving behind a rich legacy that
Revolution. He was appointed commissar of art in Vitebsk, a role continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.
that saw him promote avant-garde art in his hometown. During this The town of Vitebsk played a crucial role in the art of Chagall,
period, his work took on more surreal elements, with imagery such influencing his whimsical style. It was here that Chagall experienced
as blue cows and flying horses symbolising a fantastical escape formative life events, including his first love, marriage, and the
from the harsh realities of the time. beginnings of his artistic journey. The town’s unique atmosphere
In 1922, disillusioned with the Soviet regime, Chagall left and ‘special sky’ inspired many of his early works, featuring iconic
Russia permanently. His journey took him to Berlin and back motifs such as soaring brides, flying cows, and dancing fiddlers.
to Paris, where he delved into etching and created numerous These vivid, fantastical images, rooted in his memories of Vitebsk,
stunning etchings, gouaches, and colourful lithographs. Chagall’s continued to animate his paintings for decades, highlighting the
work also became more politically charged, particularly his town’s lasting impact on his creative vision.