Discover the Work of Marc Chagall

The "Ecole de Paris" was a vibrant, international artistic community in Montparnasse. Artists began to settle in this Parisian neighborhood in the nineteenth century, drawn by the tranquility of its natural surroundings and open space. By the turn of the twentieth century, the artist population in Montparnasse surpassed that of Montmartre, becoming a nexus of modern art production and cultural exchange. We will explore this neighborhood to see where these bohemian circles once congregated, including the many cafés and “La Ruche” (the beehive), where Chagall lived before gaining prominence. We will then turn our attention to Chagall’s work. We will examine his paintings closely to discover the influence of his Russian Jewish roots and modern painting approaches he adopted in Paris. We will discuss the duality of his work – at once playful and profound - as we uncover its symbolism. We will learn about the remarkable story of how Chagall escaped France during WWII, and afterward, left his mark in great cities around the world,

from Washington DC to Paris.