After the success of the Antonio Ligabue exhibition in 2023, the Municipality of Conversano and Arthemisia surpass themselves this year with a new international exhibition: "Chagall. Dream of Love." This exhibition, held in the evocative Polo Museale – Castello Conti Acquaviva D’Aragona, will be open to the public from April 20 to October 27, 2024.
Specifically, "Dream of Love" offers a rare opportunity to explore the artistic universe of Marc Chagall, one of the undisputed masters of the twentieth century. Marc Chagall, born in Belarus in 1887 and moved to Paris in 1910, is celebrated for his unique style, which combines reality and dreamlike imagination.
This exhibition will showcase over 100 of Chagall's works, including paintings, drawings, watercolors, and engravings. Many of these works come from private collections and, consequently, are not often visible to the general public. Therefore, the exhibition represents a rare and precious opportunity.
Curator Dolores Durán Úcar, a recognized expert on Chagall, will guide visitors through an emotional journey. This exhibition explores various themes, such as love for religion, homeland, his wife, and the world of fairy tales. Each work, in fact, reflects Chagall's ability to weave personal memory and collective history.
Additionally, the exhibition is enriched with innovative multimedia supports. These educational insights and immersive elements allow visitors to better understand the historical and cultural context of the exhibited works.
"Chagall. Dream of Love" is an unmissable event for all art enthusiasts. Promoted by the Municipality of Conversano Città d’Arte and Museco, with the support of the Puglia Region and the Metropolitan City of Bari, the exhibition also offers the opportunity to explore the Castello Conti Acquaviva D’Aragona. Don't miss the chance to experience a dreamlike journey into the art of Marc Chagall. Tickets are now available.
Exhibition Opening Hours
Regular Hours
Tuesday to Friday: 10.00 AM – 1.30 PM | 3.30 PM – 7.00 PM
Saturday and Sunday: 10.00 AM – 1.30 PM | 3.30 PM – 8.30 PM
Monday: closed
Summer Hours (June 17 – September 15, 2024):
Tuesday to Sunday: 10.00 AM – 1.30 PM | 4.30 PM – 9.00 PM
Monday: closed
Extraordinary Openings:
- Thursday, April 25: 10.00 AM – 8.30 PM
- Friday, April 26: 10.00 AM – 8.30 PM
- Saturday, April 27: 10.00 AM – 8.30 PM
- Sunday, April 28: 10.00 AM – 8.30 PM
- Monday, April 29: 10.00 AM – 8.30 PM
- Tuesday, April 30: 10.00 AM – 8.30 PM
- Wednesday, May 1: 10.00 AM – 8.30 PM
- Monday, May 27: 10.00 AM – 1.30 PM | 3.30 PM – 8.30 PM
- Sunday, June 2: 10.00 AM – 8.30 PM
- Thursday, August 15: 4.30 PM – 10.30 PM
Be sure to check opening hours before planning your visit to fully enjoy the exhibition without inconvenience.
First Section – Unique Works
Marc Chagall, born in 1887 in Vitebsk, then part of the Russian Empire, is renowned for his expressive and vibrantly colored painting. The artist draws inspiration from personal experiences that harmoniously blend with fantastic elements, creating true magical universes.
The first section of the exhibition brings together a significant collection of works, including oils, gouaches, and drawings, allowing visitors to explore all creative phases of Chagall's career and identify his key themes. Visitors are invited to journey with him between reality and fantasy, immersed in a dreamlike atmosphere where the divine and the human intertwine and overlap.
Second Section – The Story of the Exodus
Chagall's existence was profoundly marked by war and displacement. In this section, the artist depicts the biblical exodus as an allegory of the persecution of Jews during the Nazi invasion of France in World War II, an event that forced him to flee Paris and seek refuge in the United States.
Through twenty-four scenes, Chagall narrates the adventure of the Jewish people who, led by Moses, flee slavery in Egypt to reach the Promised Land.
Third Section – Fables
These tales, which reflect a deep irony and social critique, are vividly interpreted by Chagall with a style that draws from the Russian tradition of icons and lubki. In fact, through his art, Chagall manages to combine elements of Russian tradition with a modern and innovative vision.
The etchings on display, on the other hand, reveal an enchanted world and, in particular, are populated by animals that play central roles in the narratives. In this way, the intrinsic link between Chagall and nature, which permeates all his work, is highlighted.
Therefore, these etchings not only reflect his fascination with the natural world but also show how animals are integrated into his stories, thus contributing to a visually rich and meaningful narrative.
In 1927, Chagall was commissioned by publisher Ambroise Vollard to illustrate La Fontaine's Fables, later published in 1952 by Tériade.
Fourth Section – Poems
"A poet with the wings of a painter," was how Henry Miller described Marc Chagall, whose love for literature deeply permeates his artistic work. Immediately after his arrival in Paris in 1911, Chagall established connections with avant-garde poets, who mutually influenced and enriched his work. This section of the Chagall exhibition presents a selection of works illustrating the texts of celebrated writers such as Guillaume Apollinaire and André Breton, as well as two of Chagall's personal publications that explore the complex universe of his paintings through written word.
Fifth Section – Derrière le miroir. Paris
The collection of lithographs "Derrière le miroir," published in 1954 by Aimé Maeght and dedicated to Paris, reveals Chagall's love for the French capital.
Through colorful and vibrant images, the artist celebrates iconic Parisian landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, immersed in a fantastic context where the typical characters of his works float among the buildings, illuminating his dark world "as if it were the sun."
Conclusion
This exhibition, through its various sections, not only tells the story of an artist but also that of a man whose life and works were profoundly influenced by his origins, experiences, and loves.
"Chagall. Dream of Love" is, therefore, a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in Marc Chagall's dreamlike and colorful universe, exploring the themes of love, escape, religion, and poetry that define his unmistakable style.
Visiting the exhibition at the Castello Conti Acquaviva D’Aragona in Conversano offers a fascinating opportunity for anyone interested in delving into the profound and colorful world of Marc Chagall, one of the most significant artists of the 20th century.