Saturday, July 7, 2012

Artist Birthday: Marc Chagall




From today's Writer's Almanac:

It's the birthday of artist Marc Chagall, born in Vitebsk, Russia (1887). He was one of nine kids in a family of modest means; his father worked for a salt herring factory, and his mother ran a shop. He wanted to be an artist, and he moved to St. Petersburg, where he failed his first entrance exams but eventually was accepted to art school. It was in Paris, surrounded by other artists, that he really began to develop his style. Though he was homesick and could not speak French, he later said, "My art needed Paris like a tree needs water." Chagall is known for bright and complex colors, and his fantastical images from Russian-Jewish folklore and his childhood: ghosts, livestock, weddings, fiddlers, scenes of his village Vitebsk, a couple floating in the sky, and fish.


28 comments:

  1. We have a Chagall stained glass in our local art museum. Lovely colors.

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    1. Harvee - It must be gorgeous! Don't think I've ever seen Chagall's work in person.

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  2. I love his work. I've been to many museums but don't believe I've ever had the pleasure of seeing one of his paintings in person.

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    1. Kathleen - I don't think I ever have either :-(

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  3. Lovely post! I grew up going to Chicago's Art Institute and his stained glass windows were always one of my favorite things to visit. :)

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    1. Jo - I've never been to the Chicago Art Institute (have only been to Chicago once), but I'll make it a point to visit next time.

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  4. It took me some time to learn to appreciate Chagall's style but there's no way to resist those colors!

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    1. Lisa - Chagall's colors are irresistible!

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  5. Thanks for a lovely post--I love Marc Chagall, thanks to my older sister who shared her love for the artist with me when I was young.

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    1. JaneGS - What a wonderful association to have with Chagall! I am the oldest of six kids and while it definitely had its perks, I often wished for an older sister.

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  6. I've always liked Chagall for the colors!

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    1. Softdrink - I'm drawn to his colors, too. The one in the middle is my favorite.

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  7. I love Chagall's work. Wouldn't it have been wonderful to have been in Paris back then?

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    1. Kathy - It sure would have... although I'd be happy to be in Paris now, too ;-)

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  8. Last year, his paintings were at the Philadelphia Museum of ARt. I missed it.
    It is just an inconvenient place to get to, but so beautiful if you do!


    I love his paintings.

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    1. Brenda - Oh, that's too bad. My brother lived in the Philly area and I've been to the museum... wish I'd known about that exhibit/

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  9. I adore Chagall. Many thanks for this! (I think a lot of folks felt as he did about Paris, then--and now!)

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    1. DS - I love Chagall's work, too, and hope to see it person one day.

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  10. Thanks for this post. Having seen Midnight in Paris, I just thought who wouldn't be attracted to Paris, the artistic hub during the early 20th C. These works are just beautiful!

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    1. Arti - I was just thinking that I needed to watch Midnight in Paris again - loved that movie! Ah, Paris in the early 20th century...

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  11. I love Chagall - what a great post! Thanks!

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    1. Nadia - I love Chagall, too. Thanks for visiting!

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  12. I would love to see his work!

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    1. Staci - Me, too! Would love to see his paintings/stained glass in person.

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  13. An interesting post, I think I'm in agreeance with Chagall- except my heart needs Paris like a tree needs water.

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    1. Louise - That quote resonates with many, I'm sure...whether it's art or heart!

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  14. I love his work, too. My favorite is the first painting, Paris par la fenêtre.

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    1. Cayce - The way Chagall uses color is irresistible. I love it, too!

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