My Take on Marc Chagall

Marc Chagall was a Belarusian artist born on July 6, 1887 in Vitebsk. He died in France on March 28, 1985. His work continues to inspire artists to this day.

Marc Chagall was ahead of his time. His career spanned the early, critical phase of modernism in art, specifically the early 20^th century, in addition to the late 20^th century [including Art after 1945]. Influences like the movement of Cubism show up in his work during Picasso and Braque’s experimentations. Nonetheless, Chagall’s work was always remarkably unique, not confining to a specific movement at any specific time. Chagall created fantasy worlds; people have upside-down heads, animals are anthropomorphic figures, people fly, people appear at odd scales, etc. However, every single decision to depart from reality in his art was based on very precise and personal reasons. This is where the dimension of symbolism takes hold in his art. Chagall’s messages are often personal. The figures of his wives for example, are narrative, like his painting “About Her” (1945) about his deceased wife Bella. Also, he often references his native town of Vitebsk and characters who resided there and sustained the town like farmers.

Chagall was not afraid to take risks. His work evolved, encountering and exploring different themes of personal, spiritual and sometimes religious dimensions. He explored both Christianity and Judaism in his work.

Chagall’s oeuvre was vast. Although profoundly impacting painting as an artistic practice, he also worked in mosaic and stained glass. He brought the fantasy world of his imagination into these media, redefining them.