“PAINTING IS MORE NECESSARY TO ME THAN FOOD. IT SEEMS LIKE A WINDOW THROUGH WHICH I COULD HAVE TAKEN FLIGHT TOWARD ANOTHER WORLD.” - CHAGALL MARC CHAGALL JULY 7, 1887 – MARCH 28, 1985 (97 YEARS OLD)

Marc Chagall was born in the Russian city of Vitebsk (Vee-tip-sk). He grew up in the Hesedic Jewish section within the village, and his family was Jewish His family was poor but very loving, and he had a fun and happy childhood. (everyone in Vitebsk was poor) One of his favorite relatives was Uncle Neuch who played the violin. Chagall said that when Uncle Neuch danced around the room playing his violin, it made him so happy that his head would gently float off his body and follow his uncle. As a child, Marc loved animals. He enjoyed talking to the animals that roamed around his village. He also talked to the stars in the sky and thought of them as his friends. You can see that he had a very creative and had a vivid imagination. You can see these influences in his art work. Over Vitebsk, 1914

It is hard to believe, but Chagall did not see paintings or drawings until he was thirteen years old. Art and artists were not part of most people’s lives in his small village. Once he was finally exposed to art, he was hooked! He loved drawing, and put his artwork up all over the house. It was then that he decided he wanted to be an artist. The Sabbath, 1910

It took some convincing, but his parents finally sent him to art classes in Vitebsk. In 1907, when he was 20, he went to St. Petersburg, the capital city of Russia, to study art and he began to paint his first mysterious works from his memory. It was there that he learned about the art capital of the world…Paris Self portrait with brushes, 1909

The Cattle Dealer, by Marc Chagall, 1912 Chagall decided to move to Paris, France in 1911 at the age of 24. He loved the people, beautiful buildings and restaurants, but most importantly he loved the light- everything seemed to glitter and sparkle with light in Paris. Chagall started adding more color to his paintings and they seemed to glow from the inside!

Half Past Three (The Poet), by Marc Chagall, 1911 Portrait of Ambroise Vollard, by Pablo Picasso, 1909 Chagall was painting some of his most exciting works in Paris. He and his artist friends were very poor and couldn’t afford canvases sometimes so they would paint on tablecloths, bed sheets and even the back of their pajamas! There were times when he was influenced by other artist’s works, such as Pablo Picasso’s cubist paintings seen above, but many say Chagall’s most important decision as an artist was to keep his work original by sticking with his idea of using dreams and memories.

The Violinist, by Marc Chagall The Flying Carriage, by Marc Chagall, 1913 While in Paris, Chagall also developed his signature style. He became part of the modern art movement, using his own blend of Cubism, Symbolism and Fauvism. Always sticking with his idea to use dreams and memories from his past. Chagall’s paintings show us a dream-like world where anything might exist – so his colors have nothing to do with nature. He is also a storyteller, so he mixes and the real world and fantasy/dreams together.

In 1914, he returned to Vitebsk for a short visit. However, World War I broke out, and he was unable to leave Russia for seven years. A year later married his childhood sweetheart Bella Rosenfeld. She is the bride with the veil that you will see in many of Chagall’s paintings. She was The love of his life, and a major influence in his work. His works of the period were dedicated to love and the joy of life.

After the war he went back to Paris with Bella and their daughter Ida, and became a French citizen. However, When World War II began in 1941, it was no longer safe for them in France. The Chagalls were forced to flee from Europe. The German dictator, Adolf Hitler, did not like modern art or artists, and hated anyone of the Jewish faith. They were able to escape to the United States. The paintings he created in the US show how upset he was about the war. While living in New York, Bella became ill. She died on September 2, Two years later in 1946, Chagall returned to Europe. His works during this time period show his depression over the loss of Bella.

As times went on, Chagall got back to using happier colors and images again in his paintings. He communicated happiness and optimism through vivid colors. Chagall began working in other artistic mediums such as prints, stage designs, ceramics and stained-glass windows. Marc Chagall lived to be 97 years old. He was still painting for up to 12 hours a day in his studio up until his death. Chagall’s dream-like and colorful images, reflecting themes from folklore, legend, and his own cherished memories, distinguish him as a master at conveying visual stories.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES - What did Marc Chagall use as inspiration for his artwork? - What was Marc Chagall’s artistic style? - What types of artwork did Marc Chagall create? - What ethnic and religious background did Marc Chagall come from, and how did it effect his life?

CHAGALL AND CHICAGO “I WILL KEEP A GREAT IMPRESSION OF CHICAGO, FOR I HAVE KEPT ALL OF YOU IN MY HEART” THE AMERICA WINDOWS, 1977 THE FOUR SEASONS, 1974

I AND THE VILLAGE /videos/marc-chagall-i-and-the-village

YOU AND YOUR VILLAGE PROJECT Using your own memories and dreams, draw a picture that represents YOU! Top – Your “village” ( home, school, neighborhood, etc) Bottom – Something that symbolizes YOU ( hobbies, interests, etc.) Left Side – Animal that is special to you or is your favorite Right Side – Draw yourself