Marc Chagall's (1897-1985) love of mankind and of the world pervades ARKEN this autumn. The great Russian-French painter was born into the traditions of Judaism in the small Russian town of Vitebsk. In spite of world wars and persecutions of Jews, throughout his life Chagall preserved his childhood faith that love is present in even the tiniest aspect of the world and must be celebrated with music, joy and beauty.
Chagall expressed love in his fantastic paintings, stained glass works and book illustrations which all illustrate his tolerance and openness towards different cultural traditions, e.g. Jewish, Christian, Muslim and secular. Chagall's pictures brim with musicians and circus performers, religious symbols, memories from Vitebsk and not least his beloved Bella.