Marc Chagall

Marc Chagall was born as Mark Zacharowicz Szagal, around July 7, 1887 in Łoźna near Vitebsk, d. March 28, 1985 in Saint-Paul de Vence. He was a painter and graphic designer of Jewish origin who had Russian and French citizenship; is a leading representative of cubism and internationalism in painting.

He was born to a poor Hasidic Jewish family as the eldest of nine children. His father was a salesman tracking. The mother was an illiterate taking care of the family. From Chagall's paintings it can be concluded that his family home was a happy and peaceful place. Young Chagall took his first painting lessons from a local teacher, but at the age of 19 he went to St. Petersburg to start his education at the School of the Tsar's Society for the Popularisation of Art, and then at the private school of Jelizawiety Zwancewa. Until 1910, the young artist, despite difficulties due to his Jewish origin, was associated with both universities. In the summer of 1908 he painted his first significant work - "Death".

In 1910, the artist received a scholarship enabling him to travel to Paris. At the same time, he became involved with a group of avant-garde painters gathered around Montparnasse. In 1914, thanks to Apollinaire, he had his first solo exhibition at the famous gallery "Der Sturm" in Berlin.

During the 1917 revolution he was a commissioner of fine arts in Vitebsk region. He founded the Academy of Fine Arts there. In 1922 he left Russia, briefly visiting Berlin - all because of his origin and work, in which Chagall did not care for the greatness of the Soviet power.

In 1935 Chagall was in Poland, and two years later he already had French citizenship. In 1941 he emigrated with his family to the United States. The painter lived in New York, where he stayed until 1948. After the war, he visited Greece, and in 1957 - Israel. During this period of his work, Chagall rediscovers colors that express joy and life force. During this time, the artist began to create sculptures, ceramics and mosaics.

In 1973, the Chagall Museum (Musée national Marc Chagall) was founded in Nice. The painter died on March 28, 1985 in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France. He was buried at the local cemetery.