Marc Chagall

Marc Chagall was born in Vitebsk, Russia in 1887. After studying in St Petersburg he went to Paris in 1910 where he met and became friendly with the avant-garde circle which included Soutine, Leger and Modigliani.

In 1917 he returned to his native Vitebsk where he was made director and Commissar of Fine Art. However, the element of fantasy in his work caused problems with the authorities who were happier with realism and a social message so he went to Moscow where he spent some time designing for the newly founded Jewish Theatre.

Returning to Paris in 1923 he met the great art-dealer Vollard for whom he illustrated Gogol's Dead Souls and the Fables of La Fontaine.

Between 1941-47 he moved from occupied France to the USA but then returned to France eventually making his home at St-Paul-de-Vence near Nice.

Chagall was a prolific painter and book illustrator, also designing for theatre and stained glass. His work was dominated by his memories of his Jewish life and bible stories and also of the folklore of his early years in Russia.

Chagall died aged 98 in 1985. At his finest Chagall was one of the great masters of the School of Paris.