Artist Biographies

MARC CHAGALL (1887 - 1985)

The rich traditions and colorful folklore of his Russian-Jewish heritage provided a fertile source of inspiration for 20th century virtuoso Marc Chagall.

Born in Belarus to a Hassidic family, Chagall's education began at a traditional Jewish school in Vitebsk. After studying with a local artist for several years, the artist moved to St. Petersberg in 1907 and continued his studies at the Zvantseva School. Chagall moved to Paris in 1910 and his inventive imagery won immediate recognition in the city's avant-garde circles. The artist returned to Belarus in 1915 where his support of the Bolshevik Revolution led to his appointment as Commissar for the Arts in Vitebsk in 1918. During his tenure, Chagall founded an art school and museum but, disillusioned with the political environment of Russia, he returned to Paris in 1922.

Chagall's dream-based imagery was revered by contemporary Surrealists yet he refused to join the movement, preferring to pursue his individualistic path. Across a wide variety of media, including theater design and book illustration, Chagall maintained a consistent style throughout his long career. The artist translated his imaginative folkloric imagery to stained glass and designed windows for cathedrals in Metz and Reims. A prolific artist and dazzling colorist, Chagall's vast oeuvre of both religious and secular subjects has gained worldwide recognition.

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