Chagall: A Painter Enamored with Dreamlike Imagery

Author: Daniel Marchesseau
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-03-03
Features: In 1985, at Saint-Paul-de-Vence on the C?te d'Azur, the last great patriarch after Matisse and Picasso, Marc Chagall passed away at the age of ninety-eight. The Fauvist movement takes pride in nurturing numerous foreign artists within its fold. Among its most innovative pioneers was Chagall. "Enamored of dreamlike imagery," as Malraux, who commissioned him to paint the ceiling of the Paris Opera, once summarized. Chagall depicted the world of his Jewish village in Vitebsk, his dreams, his love, the circus world, and the universal, radiant "Biblical Message." He remains a master storyteller, recounting timeless and universal poems built upon the archetypal images of God and humanity. Daniel Marchesseau revisits the life of this Russian who twice fled exile and now returns to the heavens, a theme the painter excelled at throughout his long life. Two years ago, Mr. André Malraux suggested that I create a new ceiling for the Paris Opera. I was deeply moved, filled with reflections, and profoundly touched. I doubted myself day and night, contemplating the grand structure of the opera house. I deeply admired the talent of the architect Garnier and wanted to reflect, like a mirror, clusters of dreamlike compositions at the highest point of the ceiling, capturing the creative activities of actors and musicians, awakening the rhythmic play of colors in the audience's attire, without regard for singing techniques. I paid homage to the great opera composers and ballet choreographers. With all my heart, I created this work as a gift to thank France, to thank the Paris School. Without them, there would be no color, and without them, there would be no freedom."