Grand bouquet sur une table c. 1978

Marc Chagall’s “Grand bouquet sur une table” is a festival of colors dancing on, and almost off the canvas. Chagall throws paint around with a carefree abandon that is totally joyful. The texture is thick but still feels light, as if the flowers and figures are floating in a dream. Check out the reds and greens. See how they vibrate against each other, creating this sense of movement? It's like the whole painting is breathing. And what about that splash of yellow near the top? It's like a little sunburst, drawing your eye in and making you want to get lost in the floral chaos. Looking at this piece I am reminded of Van Gogh’s paintings of flowers, especially in the vibrant colors. But where Van Gogh feels heavy and grounded, Chagall is pure levity. He embraces ambiguity. It's not about getting it "right," but about feeling.