Over the Town (1918)

Description: This painting depicts a man carrying a woman. They are both flying over a town, which can
be seen at the bottom of the page. The man is looking up at something and the woman is looking down.
Upon further research, the woman is meant to represent his wife, and the man himself. He is flying with
his wife over this town. The lines in this painting are cleaner than in his other works. The color palette is
fairly muted, save for a vibrant red featured in the town and a bright green on the man's shirt.
Analysis: This painting represents Chagalls love for his wife. In my research, I found that he depicted
himself and his wife quite often. Several of his paintings were of them flying over towns, much like this
one. The man looks a lot like Chagall, with dark hair and strong, high cheekbones. His wife has softer
features and dark eyes. This doesn't really have a deep explanation other than it is a depiction of him and
his wife. The colors of the town could represent life. Most of the buildings are grayscale, which could
represent mundanity and a lack of color. However, when he is with his wife, their love carried them above
that. With her, he feels like he can fly above all of the boring and gray parts of life. He sees his wife as an
inspiration for his life.
Paris Through the Window (1913)
Description: This is a very bright and vibrant painting that depicts the city of Paris. There is a lot of color
and energy in this painting. Featured in this painting are a man and a woman flying above the city, a two-
faced man, some flowers, a cat, a window, the city, and the Eiffel tower. The contrast between the blue
stripe down the middle and the orange around the hedges highlights the center of the painting.
Analysis: This painting represents Chagall's impression of the city of Paris. In my research, I found that
he moved to the city in 1910, only a few years before this painting is finished. The people flying in the
back could be in reference to him and his wife, similar to Over the Town. Similar to that painting, this
represents him and his wife flying above the city. The bright and vibrant colors present in this painting
represent the vibrance and life of Paris. In contrast to his previous home in Russia, Paris would have been
a stark contrast. Overall this painting is his reaction to his move to Paris. He fell in love with this city and
portrayed that love in this painting.
I and the Village (1911)
Description: This is one of Chagall's most famous pieces of work. It depicts a man with a green face
looking into the eyes of some sort of animal, possibly a lamb. In the background, there are houses that are
floating in seemingly impossible ways. There are also many figures featured in the background, both in
complex and simple poses. One of the figures is depicted upside-down. There is also a woman who is
milking a cow featured in the background.
Analysis: I have found that this word was inspired by the art of the Fauves. This painting is representative
of the place where he grew up. He conveys nostalgia and love in this painting. The expression of the
green-faced man, likely Chagall himself, is positive and starry-eyed. The green is representative of his
joy. He has a profound love for this place. In this village, he likely saw many mothers milking cows,
much like the one shown in the village. The brightly colored houses in the background arranged in
impossible arrays depict his wonder and joy with this town. The painting almost feels like a dream with
the way it is composed. The bright colors of this painting represent the bright colors of his youth. He does
an excellent job of representing the joy and vibrancy of his memories without detracting from the
nostalgia. He thinks very fondly of this old town. This painting is an interesting contrast to Paris Through
the Window, in which he depicts another city he is fond of. While he thinks well of each of these places,
the feelings portrayed in his painting are very different.
White Crucifixion (1938)
Description: The main figure in this painting is Jesus Christ, who is depicted during his crucifixion.
However, rather than showing a traditional, Roman-style cross, the painting depicts a tall, narrow cross
that is surrounded by a halo of light. The figure of Jesus is shown with long, white hair and a red-brown
beard. He is surrounded by a number of other figures, including Jewish scholars, soldiers, and angels. The
background of the painting is a chaotic and turbulent scene, with burning buildings, flying debris, and
swirling clouds. He mostly uses a grayscale for the background of this image, but the areas with more
colors are those with other figures in them. Overall, this painting is chaotic.
Analysis: This painting would have been painted right before the start of the second World War. Through
my research, I have discovered that this painting was inspired by the tragedy of several anti-Jewish
pogroms that Chagall had heard about during his time living in Europe. With this evidence, it can be
reasonably concluded that this painting deals with the persecution of the Jewish people. Chagall parallels
the pain and suffering of Jesus Christ with the pain and suffering of the Jews. The painting also touches
on themes of religious persecution and cultural conflict. The depiction of scholars and soldiers in the
background of the painting suggests that the Crucifixion was not just an event in which one person
suffered and died, but rather a moment of great conflict and tension between different groups and
cultures. In contrast, the painting also conveys a sense of hope and redemption. The halo of light
surrounding the cross, and the presence of angels in the scene, suggest that the Crucifixion was not just a
moment of despair, but also a moment of triumph and salvation.