Blue Rooster with Reclining Figure, 1985

Marc Chagall (1887–1985) was a Russian-French artist renowned for his poetic, dreamlike imagery that fused elements of Cubism, Fauvism, and Symbolism. Born Moishe Shagal in Vitebsk, then part of the Russian Empire (now Belarus), Chagall’s early life in a Jewish shtetl profoundly influenced his art, which often depicted folkloric scenes, biblical motifs, and vibrant, floating figures. He worked across a variety of mediums, including painting, stained glass, ceramics, and illustration, and is particularly celebrated for his luminous use of color and imaginative compositions.

Chagall’s work has been exhibited in major institutions worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, and the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow. His stained glass windows adorn significant sites such as the United Nations building in New York and the Cathedral of Metz in France. Chagall’s market presence remains robust, with his paintings and works on paper regularly achieving high prices at leading auction houses such as Christie’s and Sotheby’s. Notably, his painting "Les Amoureux" sold for over $28 million at Sotheby’s in 2017, marking a record for the artist. Chagall’s enduring legacy is reflected in his profound influence on modern art and his ability to transcend cultural and artistic boundaries.