Chagall's 'Allegory of an Age of Terror'

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
By Lance Esplund

The artist experienced firsthand some of the major horrors of the 20th century.

NEW YORK---Think of the visionary artist Marc Chagall—experienced firsthand some of the major horrors of the 20th century. Chagall's realm is dark and aflame; the sun and time are falling. But all is not lost. The painter provides refuge from the storm. A candle is still burning strong; a man flees with the Torah (the cornerstone of the picture); Christ's halo shines like a beacon; Mother and Child rise from the flames; and a yellow cow serenades us with its blue violin. The falling angel is both the messenger of death and the messenger of mercy. Its leap of faith opens and bridges as it wrenches and topples space—creating a passageway between Chagall's heaven and Chagall's hell. [link]