“In our life there is a single colour, as on an artist's palette, which provides the meaning of life and art. It is the color of love.” Marc Chagall, known as a pioneer of modernism, is an artist that focused on the emotional and spiritual quality presented in artworks. He refused to follow any kind of movement, relying only on his personal style and expression. His original works have inspired artist by introducing a technique that emphasized the expression of the unconscious. Chagall breaks away from traditional representations, in order to send a universal message that goes beyond reality and common sense.
“The Flying Fish” is a painting that holds a dreamy feel that takes the viewer into an imaginary world of mystery and spirituality. Objects are depicted in different sizes and colours, but they still manage to suggest connectivity and order. Chagall breaks his canvas in three parts, emphasizing mostly on the foreground. He places the main scene in front, drawing attention to the two human figures. The addition of contrast in colours and the use of different brushwork helps centering the newly married couple. The red and bold strokes are used to illustrate roses and draw attention to this area. Red roses are historically known for representing love and passion. A sentiment of companionship and devotion is depicted in the gestures of the figures and also in their complementary yet balanced black and white subsistence. Placing the affectionate couple on top of the flower vessel can relate to the process of marriage, considering it as a concluded stage of life, beautifully represented in the fully blossomed flowers.
Chagall’s paintings seem to speak out through his use of symbols. His technique draws the viewer to an unknown world where only personal and profound representations can make meanings of a certain message or idea. “It is not for me to explain them. Works of art should speak for themselves” Chagall clarifies that his work should not be strictly explained or seen only by the artist’s eye, but rather it should be interpreted, enjoyed and felt by the viewer. He lived with a fixed ideology that love should be a source of hope and motivation that guides humans to the right path in life. He made sure he represented these values in his work. “The flying fish” is an example of his creative expression. The married couple might be the most recognizable symbol used to interpret love because it illustrates a scene of a well known cultural tradition.
Stepping away from the central emphasis in the foreground, the painting becomes submerged in a mysterious blue tonality. The puzzling middle ground is composed of simple renderings of houses, a hidden violist, a contemplating rooster and an almost invisible figure of an angel. The viewer will try to make sense of these images by treating them as symbols. The rooster is known for being a representation of fidelity, but it can also be argued that it is only a symbolic reference to Chagall’s early life in the village . However the most important factor in this image is the way that the rooster is emotionally attached to the couple. We can understand that he is spiritually connected to them by playing close attention to its big eyes and rigid stare. Furthermore, the houses can be seen as a representation of security and affection. The house upside down could be representing an imbalance or doubt. The violinist could be a representation of human talents as it could also be a reference to the divine power and inspiration found in music. The blue tonality of this overall middle ground composition gives the painting a feeling of intimacy and secretive romance. A mysterious coldness that runs to the background and a sense of eternity seem to be represented delightfully thanks to Chagall’s choice of colours.
The background illustrates a floating fish holding three candles that make reference to the Jewish religion. Chagall was very fond to representing religious symbols in his work because he though it was necessary to express his identity as a Jewish person . The floating fish is depicted in many of the artist’s paintings and it is said to be a personal commemoration to his loved father. The sunrise/sunset positioned at the background adds to the composition a feeling of warmth, hope and perfect stillness. Whether this scene depicts a sunrise or sunset doesn’t seem to matter because it is part of a perfect composition that goes beyond time and space. It is important to look at the details in the painting because they could reveal more information about the composition. What do we see represented in the painting? Why is there an angel reaching towards the rooster? Is the rooster a representation of God looking up to the future of the marriage? Why is there a house depicted upside down? Chagall’s work will bring up questions that have no simple answer. His subject matter is complex and also very dependent on the viewer’s reflective reading.
“The flying fish” is a painting that demonstrates Marc Chagall’s peculiar attention to composition. He expresses his talent through the canvas by placing different symbolic images together without loosing a sense of harmony. His style is composed of childish brushstrokes and a playful rendering of colours. His surreal subject matter will never fail to make the viewer question the meaning behind the painting. The dreamy composition will haunt our imagination and our deepest thoughts. As Chagall suggested we should let the painting speak to us. Feel the power within the colours, the imagery and the movement in the strokes. Connecting with the painting and making sense of the overall composition. Stepping away from our reality and stepping inside the canvas, becoming part of it.
“The Flying Fish” is a painting that holds a dreamy feel that takes the viewer into an imaginary world of mystery and spirituality. Objects are depicted in different sizes and colours, but they still manage to suggest connectivity and order. Chagall breaks his canvas in three parts, emphasizing mostly on the foreground. He places the main scene in front, drawing attention to the two human figures. The addition of contrast in colours and the use of different brushwork helps centering the newly married couple. The red and bold strokes are used to illustrate roses and draw attention to this area. Red roses are historically known for representing love and passion. A sentiment of companionship and devotion is depicted in the gestures of the figures and also in their complementary yet balanced black and white subsistence. Placing the affectionate couple on top of the flower vessel can relate to the process of marriage, considering it as a concluded stage of life, beautifully represented in the fully blossomed flowers.
Chagall’s paintings seem to speak out through his use of symbols. His technique draws the viewer to an unknown world where only personal and profound representations can make meanings of a certain message or idea. “It is not for me to explain them. Works of art should speak for themselves” Chagall clarifies that his work should not be strictly explained or seen only by the artist’s eye, but rather it should be interpreted, enjoyed and felt by the viewer. He lived with a fixed ideology that love should be a source of hope and motivation that guides humans to the right path in life. He made sure he represented these values in his work. “The flying fish” is an example of his creative expression. The married couple might be the most recognizable symbol used to interpret love because it illustrates a scene of a well known cultural tradition.
Stepping away from the central emphasis in the foreground, the painting becomes submerged in a mysterious blue tonality. The puzzling middle ground is composed of simple renderings of houses, a hidden violist, a contemplating rooster and an almost invisible figure of an angel. The viewer will try to make sense of these images by treating them as symbols. The rooster is known for being a representation of fidelity, but it can also be argued that it is only a symbolic reference to Chagall’s early life in the village . However the most important factor in this image is the way that the rooster is emotionally attached to the couple. We can understand that he is spiritually connected to them by playing close attention to its big eyes and rigid stare. Furthermore, the houses can be seen as a representation of security and affection. The house upside down could be representing an imbalance or doubt. The violinist could be a representation of human talents as it could also be a reference to the divine power and inspiration found in music. The blue tonality of this overall middle ground composition gives the painting a feeling of intimacy and secretive romance. A mysterious coldness that runs to the background and a sense of eternity seem to be represented delightfully thanks to Chagall’s choice of colours.
The background illustrates a floating fish holding three candles that make reference to the Jewish religion. Chagall was very fond to representing religious symbols in his work because he though it was necessary to express his identity as a Jewish person . The floating fish is depicted in many of the artist’s paintings and it is said to be a personal commemoration to his loved father. The sunrise/sunset positioned at the background adds to the composition a feeling of warmth, hope and perfect stillness. Whether this scene depicts a sunrise or sunset doesn’t seem to matter because it is part of a perfect composition that goes beyond time and space. It is important to look at the details in the painting because they could reveal more information about the composition. What do we see represented in the painting? Why is there an angel reaching towards the rooster? Is the rooster a representation of God looking up to the future of the marriage? Why is there a house depicted upside down? Chagall’s work will bring up questions that have no simple answer. His subject matter is complex and also very dependent on the viewer’s reflective reading.
“The flying fish” is a painting that demonstrates Marc Chagall’s peculiar attention to composition. He expresses his talent through the canvas by placing different symbolic images together without loosing a sense of harmony. His style is composed of childish brushstrokes and a playful rendering of colours. His surreal subject matter will never fail to make the viewer question the meaning behind the painting. The dreamy composition will haunt our imagination and our deepest thoughts. As Chagall suggested we should let the painting speak to us. Feel the power within the colours, the imagery and the movement in the strokes. Connecting with the painting and making sense of the overall composition. Stepping away from our reality and stepping inside the canvas, becoming part of it.
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