10 facts about the artist Marc Chagall

“A total lyrical explosion” — wrote the poet André Breton about his works.

He was born into a poor large family near Vitebsk. Marc Chagall's father was a porter in a fish shop. There were nine children in the family.

Studied under Roerich and Bakst. In his youth Marc Chagall moved from Vitebsk to St. Petersburg and enrolled in the prestigious art school of Elizaveta Zvantseva. There the well-known theatrical designer Léon Bakst taught, who truly revealed the young Chagall's potential.

Moved to Paris following his teacher. In 1911 Chagall received a scholarship from the prominent lawyer Max Vinaver and was able to move to Paris following Léon Bakst. There he met artists and avant-garde poets and began visiting the Louvre regularly.

Did not accept fashionable painting styles. At the beginning of his creative path in Paris Chagall experimented with various painting movements: Fauvism, Impressionism and Cubism. But ultimately he developed his own style, to which he remained faithful for the rest of his life.

Painted landscapes of Russia and Jewish relatives. Chagall loved bright colors and in his works often addressed themes of roots and the self-awareness of the Jewish people. His paintings are imbued with subtle lyricism, a gentle nostalgia and hope.

Dedicated more than 2,000 paintings to his first wife. Bella Chagall was the love of the artist's life. They met back in Russia and after Chagall's return from Paris they married, despite the difference in social standing between their families. Bella was the artist's only muse; her image is captured in all of Chagall's paintings devoted to love.

He was commissioner for the arts in Vitebsk. After the 1917 revolution Chagall returned to his native Vitebsk, where he opened an art museum and an art school. Soon his post was taken by Kazimir Malevich, who lured his students into Suprematism. The artist returned to Paris.

Chagall's daughter saved him from suicide. Marc and Bella were married for 29 years, but in 1944 Bella suddenly passed away. Chagall saw no reason to live on, but his daughter Ida saved her father from suicide and gave his life meaning. Together with his daughter Chagall worked on Bella's autobiography "Burning Lights".

Died in flight, like the heroes of his paintings. Chagall lived 97 years and literally died in flight, as a gypsy once predicted to him. After a long day's work he was riding the elevator to the second floor of his villa in Saint-Paul-de-Vence and died of a heart attack.