Described as one of the most shocking paintings both because of the theme painted by a Jewish artist and the time it was painted (1938).
He was living in Paris at the time and could see no way out. He includes lots of contemporary invocations of what has been going on at the time to Jews in Germany.
The question is how does on depict suffering in art in a way that would touch people?
Part of the story of this painting is that the images flying off the edge are suffering as the result of the figure in the middle -Christ. All over there are outstretched arms, not just Jesus but also other figures indicating sense of helplessness. Yet, the Jacobs Ladder is there as a symbol of hope and humanism as is a Jew with a Torah.
How wonderful to stumble on such a great piece of art unexpectedly in a TV slot on Faith.
And for those who like this painting so much that they wish to have it on their iPhone or as a computer wallpaper, just follow instructions.
Monday, 29 September 2008
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2 comments:
Andrew, thank you for your comment.
My first 'live' brush with Chagall was looking at his windows in the church in Zurich with my 3y old daughter in her pushchair. There was a group of American tourists there and we stayed listening to their guide - surprisingly, at my little girl's request.
Russian art is now biggest investment in the world - up apparently 400% in three years.
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