Vue de Paris 1978

Marc Chagall painted this ‘Vue de Paris’ with oil on canvas, using his characteristic dreamlike style to capture the city’s essence. The handling of the oil paint gives the artwork a rich and tactile quality. Chagall's method here, applying layers of luminous color, echoes the techniques of the old masters while forging its own path. Look at the textures he created. The brushwork is evident, even energetic. The materiality contributes to the painting’s emotional depth. Paris was a central focus for a community of artists who had travelled to the city to experiment and innovate in their practice and forge new aesthetics that defined the period. Oil paint was central to this experimentation; a readily available medium for artists in the urban environment. When we appreciate the material and historical context of ‘Vue de Paris’, we can better understand Chagall’s achievement. The materials, making and context become essential aspects of its meaning, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.