All the time I was working, I felt my mother and father looking over my shoulder; and behind them were Jews, millions of other vanished Jews – of yesterday and a thousand years ago.But, and this is rather fascinating, Chagall actually did more work in Christian cathedrals than in synagogues. This was controversial among both Christians and Jews; some French and German Catholics were not happy about giving the work of a Russian Jew prominence in their holy places, and some Jews thought Chagall was betraying his heritage. Chagall himself worried about this, and once went to consult a famous rabbi over his conflicting feelings, and in particular his developing fascination with Jesus. I guess the rabbi reassured him, because he went with on the work. Above and below, Mainz Cathedral, 1978-1986.It occurs to me that the aftermath of World War II was a great time to be a stained glass artist, since there were so many smashed windows that needed replacing.
Peace windows at the UN in New York
My favorite Chagall window is in the Chapel des Cordeliers, Sarrebourg, France, completed 1976.
I am puzzled that such an obscure, small town church was able to afford a huge Chagall window; maybe they had a wealthy patron. If so, he made a great contribution to his home town.
My favorite Chagall window is in the Chapel des Cordeliers, Sarrebourg, France, completed 1976.
I am puzzled that such an obscure, small town church was able to afford a huge Chagall window; maybe they had a wealthy patron. If so, he made a great contribution to his home town.
3 comments:
Fascinating post and beautiful pics. I'm especially struck by the figure crawling/kneeling before a candelabrum. I may be projecting, but to me it speaks to the forlorn human longing for the divine, with a hint, full of complex feelings, that what we're looking at may just be a three-branched candle holder.
And is that figure actually a donkey? I do get a sense of a bit of mockery, especially self-mockery.
The beautiful, kind feminine face below makes a wonderful counterpoint.
But I know no more about Chagall than what I just read here, so projection is always a possibility.
Great stuff.
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