Chagalls Synagogues up for Sale at Sothebys on Dec. 14

RUSSIAN TODAY (RT)

Marc Chagall. Synagogue in Vilna, the "Kloyz" of the Vilna Gaon (1931)

NEW YORK - Three rare Marc Chagall paintings featuring interiors of synagogues are to be auctioned at Sotheby’s, prompting huge interest for the Russian-rooted artist. These works are coming to the art market for the first time ever from a descendent of the original owner of the works, Max Cottin, who bought them at a 1945 exhibition at the Gallery of Jewish Art in New York. The artist is known to have finished only six synagogue paintings. Speaking about his Jewish identity, Marc Chagall declared, "If a painter is Jewish and paints life, how can he help having Jewish elements in his work? But if he is a good painter, there will be more than that. The Jewish element will be there, but his art will tend to approach the universal." The sale is part of Sotheby's Israeli & International Art auction scheduled for December 14. [link]