Marc Chagall (1887-1985) is widely regarded as epitomizing the "painter as poet". The worldwide admiration he commanded remains unparalleled by any artist of the 20th century. Chagall's paintings, steeped in mythology and mysticism, portray colourful dreams and tales that are deeply rooted in his Russian Jewish origins. The memories and yearning they evoke recall his nativ Marc Chagall (1887-1985) is widely regarded as epitomizing the "painter as poet". The worldwide admiration he commanded remains unparalleled by any artist of the 20th century. Chagall's paintings, steeped in mythology and mysticism, portray colourful dreams and tales that are deeply rooted in his Russian Jewish origins. The memories and yearning they evoke recall his native Vitebsk, and the great events that mark the life of ordinary people: birth, love, marriage and death. They tell of a world full of everyday miracles - in the room of lovers, on the streets of Vitebsk, beneath the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Heaven and earth seem to meet in a topsy-turvy world in which whimsical figures of people and animals float through the air with gravity-defying serenity. This art album presents Chagall's work.
Marc Chagall, 1887-1985: Painting as Poetry
Marc Chagall (1887-1985) is widely regarded as epitomizing the "painter as poet". The worldwide admiration he commanded remains unparalleled by any artist of the 20th century. Chagall's paintings, steeped in mythology and mysticism, portray colourful dreams and tales that are deeply rooted in his Russian Jewish origins. The memories and yearning they evoke recall his nativ Marc Chagall (1887-1985) is widely regarded as epitomizing the "painter as poet". The worldwide admiration he commanded remains unparalleled by any artist of the 20th century. Chagall's paintings, steeped in mythology and mysticism, portray colourful dreams and tales that are deeply rooted in his Russian Jewish origins. The memories and yearning they evoke recall his native Vitebsk, and the great events that mark the life of ordinary people: birth, love, marriage and death. They tell of a world full of everyday miracles - in the room of lovers, on the streets of Vitebsk, beneath the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Heaven and earth seem to meet in a topsy-turvy world in which whimsical figures of people and animals float through the air with gravity-defying serenity. This art album presents Chagall's work.
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Caterina –
Why is there no other artist like Marc Chagall?! A million stars for the artist and his work, which somehow seems more deeply rooted in the fabric of life, love, heart and soul, than that of many other modern artists — and soars to such heights of imagination, color, composition and fluidity. 4 stars for the generous selection of reasonably high quality color images of paintings* 4 stars for the reader-friendly organization and layout of this Taschen series 3 stars for the text, a basic introduc Why is there no other artist like Marc Chagall?! A million stars for the artist and his work, which somehow seems more deeply rooted in the fabric of life, love, heart and soul, than that of many other modern artists — and soars to such heights of imagination, color, composition and fluidity. 4 stars for the generous selection of reasonably high quality color images of paintings* 4 stars for the reader-friendly organization and layout of this Taschen series 3 stars for the text, a basic introduction to Chagall’s life and work Here are a few quotes and images that have lingered with me … The people who supported Chagall in his chosen approach, sharing his taste for poetry and likewise questing for the hidden significance of things, were literary people. (p. 22) Nevertheless, remarkably, ”It is not right to paint pictures with symbols. If a work of art has total authenticity, symbolic meaning will be contained in it of its own accord,” Chagall once said. (p. 65) His counterpart to Picasso’s historical painting ‘Guernica’. which speaks of suffering, is the devotional painting ‘White Crucifixion’, which feels its way into that suffering. (p. 65) In 1933, Chagall had described his aesthetic aims in these words: “If a painter is a Jew and paints life, how is he to keep Jewish elements out of his work! But if he is a good painter, his painting will contain a great deal more. The Jewish content will be there, of course, but his art will aim for universal relevance.” (p. 62) that first decade in Paris . . .”was the happiest time of my life” Chagall’s loving couples are one of the most magnetic aspects of his work for me. He was blessed with a long marriage to his first true love Bella Rosenfeld, who died tragically of a virus after they enjoyed nearly thirty years of marriage (how that hits me now, in the time of COVID -- also as my husband and I approach 28 years). This book mentions his falling into depression and inability to work after Bella’s death. It does not mention Chagall’s second love and unmarried domestic partner of seven years, Virginia Haggard McNeil, who bore him a son! Then, in 1952, he was blessed with a second marriage, to Valentina Brodsky, that lasted the rest of his long and productive life. ****************************** In 1937, fifty-nine (!!!) of Chagall’s paintings were confiscated by the Nazis and exhibited as “degenerate art.” This appalling occurrence is mentioned only as a brief chronological note in the book’s appendix, with no further explanation. Wait, what? What happened to those paintings? Were they destroyed? Have they ever been found since 1987 when the book was published? Could they still be found? ******************************* * With regard to the color reproductions: They were printed in Italy in 1987 when (and where) the color printing of art books was better than it is today. However, a few of the images of earlier paintings appear muddy. In most of the images, however, the colors are subtle and the linen texture visible. But when comparing with images in my other Chagall book (printed in Italy in 1975) the colors are sometimes significantly different and the images crisper and brighter in the older book. Obviously I don’t have any of the originals nearby to compare. Couple on a Red Background, 1983, a late painting with color grown autonomous (pp. 76, 80) Image source for this review: https://www.wikiart.org/en/marc-chaga... I and the Village, 1911 — one of his earliest masterpieces Image source for this review, via Wikipedia: By Marc Chagall - http://cgfa.sunsite.dk/chagall/index...., PD-US, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?... White Crucifixion, 1938. Image source for this review: https://www.artic.edu/artworks/59426/... Lovers in the Lilacs, 1930. Image source for this review: https://www.marcchagall.net/lovers-in...
Moira Macfarlane –
Prachtige afbeeldingen van Chagall in dit boekje, erg mooi samengesteld! Maar wat vond ik het kunsthistorische gedeelte ver beneden peil. Ik zie de kleine Taschenboeken als kennismaking met een kunstenaar en ik vind dat de tekst daar rekening mee dient te houden. Schets een tijdsbeeld, laat de mens achter zijn kunstwerken zien en als je een vergelijking maakt met een ander werk van een andere kunstenaar plaats dat er dan ook bij of licht het beter toe. Verzand niet in technische beschrijvingen di Prachtige afbeeldingen van Chagall in dit boekje, erg mooi samengesteld! Maar wat vond ik het kunsthistorische gedeelte ver beneden peil. Ik zie de kleine Taschenboeken als kennismaking met een kunstenaar en ik vind dat de tekst daar rekening mee dient te houden. Schets een tijdsbeeld, laat de mens achter zijn kunstwerken zien en als je een vergelijking maakt met een ander werk van een andere kunstenaar plaats dat er dan ook bij of licht het beter toe. Verzand niet in technische beschrijvingen die mensen die niet thuis zijn in de kunst slecht kunnen volgen. Dan blijf over dat als je het wel kunt volgen het compleet oninteressant wordt beschreven. Los daarvan vond ik het kunst-historisch inhoudelijk ronduit eenzijdig en zéér ter discussie waar de schrijver de kunstwerken interpreteert. Ik weet niet precies op welke grond de schrijver/onderzoeker zijn beweringen maakt, maar ik ben het nog nooit zó totaal oneens geweest met een kunstcriticus als hier. Ik vraag me dan ook af of dat de reden is waarom de iets uitgebreidere uitgave over Chagall van Taschen door een ander iemand is geschreven en samengesteld. Het boekje is echt van een ander kaliber dan de basisboeken van Taschen die ik tot dusver las.
Cynda –
I have long been mesmerized by certain aspects of Chagall's work. As a slowly developing colorist, I notice color. I see Chagall's intense forest green often used in faces and wonder at what the forest green is about. About developing a workable color palette, one Chagall liked? About the green often seen in the settlement where Chagall was born: Liozna, near town Vitebsk, in country of Belarus? Picasso used many varieties of green in his cubist portraits, none this forest green hat I can see on I have long been mesmerized by certain aspects of Chagall's work. As a slowly developing colorist, I notice color. I see Chagall's intense forest green often used in faces and wonder at what the forest green is about. About developing a workable color palette, one Chagall liked? About the green often seen in the settlement where Chagall was born: Liozna, near town Vitebsk, in country of Belarus? Picasso used many varieties of green in his cubist portraits, none this forest green hat I can see online and none I remember. The only other time I have seen that forest green is in the illustrations of Joel Stewart that graced Tales of Hans Christian Andersen. So Chagall rather unusual almost unique in use of forest green in faces. Also as a colorist, I am enchanted by the intensity of colbolt blues, parrot greens,carmine red, Tuscan red. . . . Possible understanding of the wide range and wide usage of blues. Throat chakra. Chagall struggling to communicate? Communicating through art is both subtle and loud and never exactly the same to two people. As a yoga practitioner, as pagan/flower child, I understand colors in terms of chakras as well. Possible understanding of greens, reds, roses/pinks. Heart Chakra. Chagall's heart was expansive. Chagall operated within spiritual/religious constructs. He started out as a provincial boy in an Orthodox Jewish family as a Orthodox Jewish boy. Yet he started to expand his world view by going to study and practice in St Peterburg and in Paris and to practice in US. along the way, Chagall incorporated artistic elements of Roman Catholicism. I am not sure that Judiasm in its most traditional forms is diametrically opposed to Orthodox/Catholic forms. In my mid-sized city, we have a small group of Messianic Christians, first-centurynstyle Christianity, a belief system bridging Judaism and Christianity. Was Chagall interested in first-century-type belief system? Possibly. As an artist, Chagall studied and incorporated elements of Fauvism, Cubism,and Surrealism. But never can Chagall be defined by these constructs. Based on the (rhetorical) argument presented in this small book, Chagall kept re-using images in different artistic methods as listed above in this paragraph. Maybe Chagall was striving for synthesis. Maybe life is too complicated, changeable, has too much variety and wonders that a syntjesis could not be created of all Chagall knew and experienced. And I thought I did not have much to say about this petite book.
El –
As a Russian Jew Marc Chagall incorporated mysticism, mythology, Russian and Jewish folktales, dreams, experience (in love and war) and visions in his paintings, making him what is often considered a poet. This glossy Taschen publication retains the vivid colors of many of his paintings and shows all the minute details which made Chagall's art so impressive. The paragraphs about some of the paintings left a little to be desired, skimming over a lot of historical and religious context; though con As a Russian Jew Marc Chagall incorporated mysticism, mythology, Russian and Jewish folktales, dreams, experience (in love and war) and visions in his paintings, making him what is often considered a poet. This glossy Taschen publication retains the vivid colors of many of his paintings and shows all the minute details which made Chagall's art so impressive. The paragraphs about some of the paintings left a little to be desired, skimming over a lot of historical and religious context; though considering the size of the book, it was to be expected. There were so many images I was hoping to see in the book that I have seen in person which were not in this collection, but again it was mostly to be expected. The works which were included were beautiful and showed the tender side of Chagall which I personally find especially endearing. His paintings involving his first wife, Bella, and his later paintings of his second wife, Valentina, are intense and heartbreaking. For me, looking at one Chagall painting is like reading an entire book. There are symbolic pieces within a painting (none of which, he claimed, were intentional at the time), some of which are hard to find; when I do find an image I had not expected I feel a certain pleasure, like I cracked a secret code. Perhaps it's as simple as I read into it something more than Chagall planned, but as in all great literature, that is part of what makes great art as well. Favorites (in this collection): Lovers in the Lilacs (1930), The Birthday (1915), The Falling Angel (1923-47), The Concert (1957), The Fall of Icarus (1975).
Bernie –
It is a nice introduction to the artist and the illustrations are of good quality. But I don't feel the best of Chagall's paintings were shown in this book. I have often read Taschen books on other artists and felt I got to know a little about the person behind the paintings, but not in this case. Yes, it does give facts about Marc's life but I don't feel I found out much about the type of man he was compared to other publications by Taschen. It is a nice introduction to the artist and the illustrations are of good quality. But I don't feel the best of Chagall's paintings were shown in this book. I have often read Taschen books on other artists and felt I got to know a little about the person behind the paintings, but not in this case. Yes, it does give facts about Marc's life but I don't feel I found out much about the type of man he was compared to other publications by Taschen.
Lee Kofman –
Reading this book was a joy, just another way of indulging my interest in Chagall. it’s not too much of an art criticism book, more a biographical overview. I’d have loved more discussion of individual artworks and of the painting techniques. But nevertheless I enjoyed the main essay for its information and readability, and the choice of illustrations.
Jane –
I found this a bit of a challenge to engage with. I wanted to find out more about Marc Chagall for a couple of reasons - firstly a friend had mentioned his style to me a year or so ago, and secondly because I’m seeing “The flying lovers of Vitebsk” as part of Brighton Festival and that is about Marc and Bella. After being unsure how to approach this book - the pictures and the text don’t always completely align - I decided to read the words first, and look at the pictures when they were reference I found this a bit of a challenge to engage with. I wanted to find out more about Marc Chagall for a couple of reasons - firstly a friend had mentioned his style to me a year or so ago, and secondly because I’m seeing “The flying lovers of Vitebsk” as part of Brighton Festival and that is about Marc and Bella. After being unsure how to approach this book - the pictures and the text don’t always completely align - I decided to read the words first, and look at the pictures when they were referenced in the text. I then looked at the chronology at the back and looked at the referenced pictures again. And finally I looked at all the pictures, and read the quotes in the side parts of the book. My three favourite pictures in this book are, in the order they appear in the book, The Cattle Dealer, The Birthday, and Lovers in the Lilacs. I find some of the work quite challenging and confusing with all the various layers of imagery. I find that I like art that I can rest in, that bring a sense of peace. Or art that tells a story. I saw Marc Chagal’s stained glass window at Chichester Cathedral on Thursday - a glorious, rich red - and the timing of experiencing that fits in well with the reading of this book. I’d be interested in seeing some more of his work in “the flesh” and to experience that in a different setting.
Dolores Jefferson –
I love poetry and I love Marc Chagall. There's something piquant and adorable about him. His art is a fable; it reminds me of Cherries in the Snow or the Adante stories of Marly Youmans. It hits my spot which is very particular and always hungry. Like the mad play of children it is beyond thought and beyond feeling and belongs to a certain fugue state that is intensely sweet - as if heaven touches earth. I love poetry and I love Marc Chagall. There's something piquant and adorable about him. His art is a fable; it reminds me of Cherries in the Snow or the Adante stories of Marly Youmans. It hits my spot which is very particular and always hungry. Like the mad play of children it is beyond thought and beyond feeling and belongs to a certain fugue state that is intensely sweet - as if heaven touches earth.
Patricia Boksa –
Many lovely colored pictures, which were a delight. The text was good to medium. It did give insight into Chagall's life and evolution as a painter, although I've read more exciting and informative texts about painters before. Have to give it 4 stars for the lovely reproductions. Many lovely colored pictures, which were a delight. The text was good to medium. It did give insight into Chagall's life and evolution as a painter, although I've read more exciting and informative texts about painters before. Have to give it 4 stars for the lovely reproductions.
Parker –
I enjoy look at Chagall's work on a daily basis. I have a particular fondness for his painting called "The Artist and His Wife." Unfortunately, this picture is not in the book. However, looking at this picture made me wonder: Why does he always paint chickens into his art? That's why I picked up this book. Apparently, many artists like to substitute humans for animals. Other than that I'm still not clear on his thing for chickens. Or cows for that matter. This book is a good starter for anyone w I enjoy look at Chagall's work on a daily basis. I have a particular fondness for his painting called "The Artist and His Wife." Unfortunately, this picture is not in the book. However, looking at this picture made me wonder: Why does he always paint chickens into his art? That's why I picked up this book. Apparently, many artists like to substitute humans for animals. Other than that I'm still not clear on his thing for chickens. Or cows for that matter. This book is a good starter for anyone who is newly learning about or liking Chagall's art. However, after this book I think I'm going to look for a book that shows more of his art. Some of my favourite pieces were missing from this book.
Sarah –
I can't score this book on the fabulous paintings ,as those are the artists creations not the authors. What remains therefore is the text, the story of a life told in painting, a rich and fascinating life, which the writer has managed to make into a dull read. There was a good balance of informing the reader about the meaning and symbolism in Chagall's work, and his technique, yet even that was hampered by the text not being placed on the same page as the painting being discussed. Ok as a coffee t I can't score this book on the fabulous paintings ,as those are the artists creations not the authors. What remains therefore is the text, the story of a life told in painting, a rich and fascinating life, which the writer has managed to make into a dull read. There was a good balance of informing the reader about the meaning and symbolism in Chagall's work, and his technique, yet even that was hampered by the text not being placed on the same page as the painting being discussed. Ok as a coffee table picture book only.
Suzanne –
This book made me appreciate Chagall even more than I previously did. It also made me realize that you cannot just glance at a Chagall but you need to really pay attention. There is so much there, so much visual information to feed the painting.
Netti –
4,5
Yoana –
I thought the text was a bit scattered, the methodology behind the analysis of the paintings was inconsistent, and the argumentation rather thin. Gorgeous reproductions though, obviously.
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