Marc Chagall Museum in Nice: Biblical Subjects

The work of Mark Chagall can be compared with the whole universe, because the characters of his paintings travel from one masterpiece to another, now and then finding themselves in unusual circumstances. And the artist himself during his lifetime strove to go round the whole world to learn its diversity. Expositions of these amazing paintings can be seen in Europe and America. However, the National Museum of Marc Chagall in Nice, whose photo you see below, represents the largest collection of his works.

What is interesting about the famous museum?

Its opening took place in 1973, when the artist was still alive. The collection is based on 17 thematic paintings included in the cycle "The Biblical Message". Also, more than 300 works are united by religious themes - they are the preparatory stage for the main canvases. Among the paintings there are graphics, sketches, sculptures, engravings, lithographs, embroidery, copper engraved boards, works made with oil and gouache. The Museum of Marc Chagall replenishes his collection so far, as the artist himself took an active part in her collection - he gave his paintings to the end of his life.

Paintings that speak an unknown language

The work of Mark Chagall is not easy to understand. He has a special artistic style, the pictures are permeated with motives of religious and philosophical content, there are allusions (hints) to his own life experience. Although a number of works of the artist seems inaccessible to perception, yet the museum of Marc Chagall is very beckoning with its mysterious art connoisseurs. Let's try and think about it, reflect on his canvases.

For the first time the cycle "Biblical message" was presented to the public in 1966 in the Louvre, after which the artist presented these paintings to the French government. A friend of Marc Chagall and Minister of Culture Andre Maldro ordered to create a separate museum complex for them.

In the painting of Marc Chagall, religious themes occupy a significant place, and the cycle reflected it most fully. The parents of the future artist were devout, so the boy was keenly aware of the essence of Judaism. He began to create illustrations for the Bible early, but only after the Second World War the religious theme of his paintings was significantly developed.

"The Biblical Message"

Chagall "Biblical message" began to create in the 50s of the XX century, working in the town of Vance (France). This cycle was to have an effect aimed at reviving the forgotten and empty chapel of the Devil. But approaching the end of life, the artist felt that the resulting pictures are of a general humanistic orientation. So he decided to give them to the French government.

There are two parts in the cycle: twelve paintings. All of them are illustrations to the chapters of the Bible "Genesis" and "Exodus." They depict the moments of the iconic relationship between God and man. An interesting fact about the decision by Chagall himself about the location of paintings in the gallery. He consciously abandoned the chronological order, replacing it with formal and religious correspondences.

Painting "The Creation of Man"

The Museum of Marc Chagall keeps a picture in the big hall, always captivating the attention of visitors - "The Creation of Man". Initially, the artist planned to place it on the altar of the chapel, which is why there are so clearly traced two plans, which fully corresponds to the altar compositions - heavenly and earthly. The lower part shows an angel carrying Adam in his arms, which he had just taken from the abyss of the primary ocean, where he was with the animals. In the upper right corner, the sun is depicted, around which people are located - so the artist imagined the course of ordinary life of a simple Jewish people. It depicts the crucified Jew Jesus, who was condemned to torture by his compatriots.

"Sacrifice of Isaac"

The Marc Chagall Museum also contains a work called "The Sacrifice of Isaac", where an episode from the Bible is shown, when Abraham is going to sacrifice his son. The canvas, as in the previous case, is divided into two zones: above the sky with flying angels, below is a terrible scene. The figures of the characters are only outlined along the contour against the background of large color spots, which gives the plot a certain meaning. On the blue is depicted an angel - he symbolizes the divine word given from heaven. In the upper right corner is a plot of the Bible about the sufferings of the descendants of Abraham, the artist reminds them constantly. In his canvases there are often figures of mothers with babies, as well as scenes of the suffering of the crucified Christ, than Chagall emphasizes the adversity suffered by the Jewish people. The lower part of the picture shows the flame of the Holocaust, in which Abraham and Isaac are conditionally located.

The general idea of these two paintings, according to Chagall's vision, is the subordination of man to God. In addition to the above, other canvases represent the museum of Marc Chagall in Nice.

How to get to the museum?

To get into it, you need to make a trip to the famous Mediterranean city. The Marc Chagall Museum in Nice address has the following: 36 avenue Docteur Ménard. The price of a permanent exposition ticket is 6.5 euros to visit a permanent and temporary exposition, you need to pay 7.7 euros. The Marc Chagall Museum in Nice, whose opening hours from November to April - from 10 to 17 hours, and from May to October - from 10 to 18 hours, can also be visited free of charge. This is permitted for the unemployed, students and children under 18 years of age. On Tuesdays the museum does not work, holidays are also days off: January 1, May 1, December 25.

In the artist's work, the ancient Jewish traditions and innovative ideas were interwoven in an amazing way. He lived a long (almost 100 years) and fruitful life, often changing countries and cities. But from the pictures we can judge that the national consciousness was always present in it, while he remained a man living outside the time and geographical framework.