Works by Chagall-Ain't All Doves & Lovers

The Jewish Museum on 92th/5th is hosting a Marc Chagall exhibit of some of his more obscure works, 1930's-1948; during the rise of facism.  Chagall's best known works are colorful, mystical paintings that are dreamlike with floating brides, lovers & animals.  Many will not be familiar with his paintings from this era that are nightmarish and disturbing.  Born in Soviet Russia, 1887, Chagall fled the Bolsheviks with his beloved wife, Bella to France.  The more than 30 paintings & 20 drawings in the exhibition:  Love, War & Exile, are his reflections back on the horrors in Europe & Russia at this time.  Chagall is regarded as one of the foremost modernist painters of the 20th C.  He painted in the styles of surrealism & cubism.  His vibrantly colored paintings contain various symbols from folklore, Judaism & Christianity.  The exodus of Jews from their homelands is shown with torahs, menorahs, fiddlers on the roof & slaughtered animals.  He also painted numerous depictions of the Crucification of Christ. "Should I paint the earth, the sky my love?  Where should I run and fly to whom?"  There is a lovely portrait Chagall made of his wife in the style of Matisse on display.  However, the melancholy & sombre mood of this exhibition is of death, despair & displacement.