Today we will talk about the picture "The White Crucifixion". Marc Chagall is the author of this painting. The painting was created by the artist in 1938. It happened two weeks after Kristallnacht. At that time, the artist visited Europe. You can see the canvas in the walls of the Chicago Art Institute. This work was sold to this institution by architect Alfred Alshuler.
History
The "White Crucifixion" is a painting that was created by the artist under the impression of the persecution of Jews that took place in Eastern and Central Europe. The canvas does not reflect the actual scene, but it demonstrates an allegory to the events. It uses a lot of special patterns and symbols. Being of Jewish origin, the artist created a large gallery of works depicting the crucifixion. The image of Jesus on the cross is a new symbol for Chagall. In it, he invested the content of all Jewry, which experienced mortal torment. Crucifixion in the canvas of the artist became his response to the brutal actions of the Nazis. From them, he suffered personally in 1933. Then almost all of his paintings were destroyed. The work "White Crucifixion" is a foreboding of the Holocaust. A similar mood imbued the canvas of Guernica by Pablo Picasso, who was a contemporary of our hero.
Description
"The White Crucifixion" is a canvas that emphasizes the suffering not only of Jesus, but also of the Jews. There are numerous violent acts on the sides. Among them is the burning of houses and synagogues, as well as the seizure of Jews. The crucifixion of Jesus is shown in the center. He is dressed in shroud and tales, which replaces the crown of thorns. All this is a symbol of the fact that he is a Jew. The figure of Jesus on the crucifix is depicted on a background that has the color of ivory. The image extends over the entire world, which is continuously subjected to destruction. At his feet a special seven-luminary lamp burns.
The upper part of the canvas "The White Crucifixion" shows the viewer of Old Testament characters crying, watching what is happening at the bottom. The foreground shows a green figure with a bag over his shoulders. This element appears in a number of works by Chagall. He is interpreted as a prophet Ilya or any Jewish traveler. In the center of the composition is a boat. It is associated with the hope that the Nazis will be saved. The top right part of the picture shows the flag of Lithuania. At that time, it was an independent state. The upper left part of the picture shows the flags of communism. This element can be considered a symbol of the fact that the persecution of Jews is not only a Nazi phenomenon. The author says that anti-Semitism was also observed in communist countries.
Evaluation
"White Crucifixion" is considered one of the artist's best creations. In this work, incessant reflections of Chagall on the events that occur in the world around him are fully embodied. The artist's thoughts are incredibly tragic. Tone of the Apocalypse here became the main. The picture is not a reflection of the plot of the Gospel, it demonstrates the author's present.