EN 
ITA “Chagall. Sogno d’amore”: A Dream Journey into the Art of Marc Chagall in Conversano
After the success of the Antonio Ligabue exhibition in 2023, the Municipality of Conversano and Arthemisia excel this year with a new international exhibition: “Chagall. Dream of Love.” This exhibition, which will take place in the enchanting Polo Museale – Castello Conti Acquaviva D’Aragona, will be open to the public from April 20 to October 27, 2024.
In particular, “Sogno d’amore” 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 famous for his unique style that blends reality with dreamlike imagery.
In this exhibition, over 100 works by Chagall will be on display, including paintings, drawings, watercolors, and engravings. Many of these works come from private collections and are therefore not often visible to the general public. Thus, the exhibition represents a rare and valuable opportunity.
The curator Dolores Durán Úcar, a recognized expert on Chagall, will guide visitors through an exciting journey. This exhibition explores various themes, such as the love for religion, homeland, wife, and the world of fairy tales. Each work, in fact, reflects Chagall's ability to intertwine personal memory and collective history.
In addition, the exhibition is enhanced by 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.
Opening Hours of the exhibition
Regular Schedule
From 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 Schedule (June 17 – September 15, 2024):
From Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM | 4:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Monday: closed
Aperture Straordinarie:
- 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: 16:30 – 22:30
Make sure to check the opening hours before planning your visit to fully enjoy the exhibition without any inconveniences.
First section – Unique Works
Marc Chagall, born in 1887 in Vitebsk in what was then the Russian Empire, is renowned for his expressive and vividly colored painting. The artist draws inspiration from a personal experience that harmoniously blends 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, that allow for the exploration of all the creative phases of Chagall's career and the identification of his key themes. The visitor is invited to travel with him between reality and fantasy, immersed in a dreamlike atmosphere where the divine and the human intertwine and overlap.
Second section – The history of the Exodus
The existence of Chagall is profoundly marked by war and uprooting. 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 tells the story of the Jewish people who, guided by Moses, flee from slavery in Egypt to reach the Promised Land.
Third section – Fables
These stories, which reflect a deep irony and social criticism, are vividly interpreted by Chagall in 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 displayed etchings, 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 connection between Chagall and nature is highlighted, permeating each of his works.
Therefore, these etchings not only reflect a fascination with the natural world, but also show how animals are integrated into its stories, thus contributing to a visually rich and meaningful narrative.
In 1927, Chagall was commissioned by the publisher Ambroise Vollard to illustrate the Fables of La Fontaine, which were later published in 1952 by Tériade.
Fourth section – Poems
“A poet with the wings of a painter,” thus Henry Miller described Marc Chagall, whose love for literature profoundly permeates his artistic work. Shortly after his arrival in Paris in 1911, Chagall established ties with avant-garde poets, who mutually influenced and enriched his work. This section of the Chagall exhibition presents a selection of works that illustrate the texts of famous writers such as Guillaume Apollinaire and André Breton, as well as two personal publications by Chagall that explore the complex universe of his paintings through the 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 the iconic places of Paris such as 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.”
Conclusions
This exhibition, through its different sections, not only tells the story of an artist but also that of a man whose life and works have been profoundly influenced by his origins, experiences, and loves.
“Chagall. Sogno d’amore” is, therefore, a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the dreamlike and colorful universe of Marc Chagall, 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 immersing themselves in the deep and colorful world of Marc Chagall, one of the most significant artists of the 20th century.
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