Purim

1917

Marc Chagall

Associated Names
Marc Chagall

Artist, Russian, 1887 - 1985

This painting features a series of angular and curved lines that create an abstract representation of a village scene. In the left part of the painting, dark, triangular and rectangular shapes form what appear to be a collection of houses, one with a bright yellow roof, and an industrial area with chimneys in the background. The red and beige hues cover the majority of the painting with vibrant, swirling lines adding texture. Behind the buildings, a person appears to ride on horseback against a bright blue section. Closer to us are three people depicted with flat, abstract features. Near the bottom-left corner, a woman in a patterned dress with a dark headscarf appears to carry a tray or bowl. In the center, a person in pale gray clothing is walking to the left, holding an indistinct white object. Behind them, on the right, a person sits on a chair, wrapped in white clothing. Their chair appears to be held up by another person.
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Artwork overview


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

John U. Nef; his wife, Evelyn Stefansson Nef, Washington, D.C.; bequest to NGA, 2010.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1975

  • Marc Chagall: Work on Paper/Selected Masterpieces, The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, 1975, no. 13 (as Fête).

1995

  • Marc Chagall's Early Prints and Drawings, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1995.

Bibliography

2002

  • Stefansson Nef, Evelyn. Finding My Way: The Autobiography of an Optimist. Washington, D. C.: The Francis Press, 2002: 233.

Inscriptions

lower right in graphite: M Chagall / 197

Wikidata ID

Q64594872

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