By

Rebekah Pollard

Chagall: Modern Master

Let me begin with a disclaimer, I am a complete novice to the world of Art. I am just beginning to learn about techniques and the different movements, but what I do know is that I’m hooked.

Having started with the most widely known artists (and most accessible at the local library!) I began to develop a taste for art with bold and dramatic colours, such as that of Van Gogh. But it was by chance that I noticed an advert for an exhibition of an artist I had never heard of before , whose pictures seemed so strange, so eye-catching and so beautiful that I had to learn more about them. This was my first encounter with Marc Chagall.

At first glimpse it is hard to fathom the mind of an artist who liberally strews goats, chickens and rabbis throughout his artwork. But a little digging (thanks to my friend Mr Google) reveals the history of Chagall and the impact it made upon his art. Growing up in a rural Russian village as part of a large, Jewish family has clearly defined how Chagall saw himself.  The poultry and other farm animals that we see so often in his art were a part of his day-to-day life as a child. The family faith also played an integral role in his childhood, as prayer formed part of his everyday ritual. Hence the rabbis, the minoras, and the cathedral of his village which feature so prominently in his work.  

 My favourite painting which seems to sum up the relationship between Chagall and his birthplace is, aptly titled, ‘I and the Village’. I love this painting;  the artist face to face with his roots in the characteristic blues, reds and greens which he so strikingly puts to use.  There is so much to take in, as with all Chagall’s paintings .  An hour could easily be spent taking every part of it in and trying to understand what the artist is trying to convey. Chagall seems so contented in this piece that the feeling is contagious, I walked away feeling a sense of calm, which is no mean feat for a frazzled mother of two!   

The instantly recognisable Eiffel Tower also appears unexpectedly in some of my favourite Chagall works, ‘The Couple of the Eiffel Tower’ (not so unexpectedly there!) and ‘Champ de Mars’. The artist spent some time in Paris both honing his skills and taking inspiration from the  ‘ La Ville-Lumière ‘. The result is gorgeous. I particularly love the romance of ‘Champ de Mars’. The blues in which the couple are painted contrast with the burnt orange sun setting behind the iconic Tower and give the piece such an enchanting feel.

What distinguishes Chagall from other artists of his time is that he drew as en expression of how he felt, not necessarily what he saw. If the latter had been the case the images he painted would have suggested some serious mental health issues! Chagall quite literally draws from the heart, and it is for this reason that his paintings result in an emotional response. For me, this is especially the case in the rendering of his family in ‘The Apparation of the Artists Family’. Chagall’s hand rests on his heart and it is impossible not to share his nostalgia.

There is no-one quite like Marc Chagall. His signature bold use of colour, and his individual style have ensured his title of Modern Master. The Tate in Liverpool currently has an exhibition showing some of his most famous works. Come and take a glimpse inside the mind of this unique artist, it is well worth the look.