Marc Chagall: Artist, Dreamer and Innovator, Part 1 of 2

The Russian-French artist Marc Chagall was hailed as one of the giants of European Modernism in the visual arts, during the 20th century. Love and religion, and then later, peace and humanity, were the prominent subjects in his work, presented in a dreamlike, lyrical or metaphorical way. How did Marc Chagall begin his artistic journey? Let’s go back to his origins. He was the eldest of nine children. Considering that his parents were observant Hasidic Jews, religion played an important role in his family, and later became an enduring source of inspiration for his art. At the age of 13, he was enrolled in a Russian high school, where a passion for art formed in his heart. Marc’s formal training in art began when the renowned realist artist Yehuda Pen, of Vitebsk. In 1910, Marc moved to Paris to further his studies. Paris was then the center of international arts and culture. The lively and thrilling artistic atmosphere, cultural activities, and everything else about Paris Stimulated the young artist. Marc Chagall’s paintings often featured his beloved wife. Bella was his muse, as well as the bride in many of his paintings. Flowers are another constant subject in Mr. Changall’s paintings. “His work has a kind of universality to it, which traverses cultures, to a kind of instantly understandable theme.”