Marc Chagall

Fables and Folklore

Works on Paper

6th March to 4th May 2025

Chagall was born in the year 1887 in the city of Vitebsk, which was then part of Russia. After engaging in his studies in St. Petersburg, he made his way to Paris, where he formed friendships with influential figures in the avant-garde circle of artists, significantly shaping his artistic perspective. In 1917, he returned to his beloved native Vitebsk, where he was appointed as both the Director and Commissar of Fine Art. However, his imaginative and fantasy-based work soon irked the more conservative authorities, compelling him to leave for Moscow, where he took on the role of designer for the new theatre. In 1923, he returned to Paris, where he had the opportunity to meet the art dealer Vollard, for whom he illustrated notable works such as Gogol’s Dead Souls and the timeless Fables of La Fontaine. Between the years 1941 and 1947, Chagall moved back and forth between occupied France and the United States, ultimately settling in the picturesque region near Nice. Throughout his life, Chagall proved to be a prolific and innovative artist, with his work reflecting biblical stories, and the rich folklore from his formative years in Russia. He passed away in 1985, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire.