It is hard to miss thinmanlittlebird, ( the new sculptures by Peter Shelton that flank the front doors of the original Cret building at Central Library).  However, there are a number of other art treasures salted throughout the new part of the library that are less visible but none the less interesting.

On the fifth floor, for example, are two hand-colored etchings by well-known artist Marc Chagall (1887-1985).  Born to a deeply religious Jewish family in Russia, Chagall later moved to Paris.  Though his work reflected Cubism and Surrealism, artistic styles popular at the time, it was dominated by two sources of imagery from his past: namely, family and his childhood village, and the Bible.

Chagall’s work was characterized by vibrant colors and whimsical, dreamlike imagery which often included lovers, animals, and musicians flying or floating upside down on the canvas.  In comparison,the Library’s etchings are more subdued.  They were originally commissioned to illustrate books and were done in black and white with hand painted watercolor.

“Le Cheval S’Etant Voulu Venger du Cerf”  (The Horse Seeking Revenge on the Stag)  was part of a series created to illustrate a book of fables written by Jean de la Fontaine.  Borrowing his inspiration and material from Aesop’s fables, La Fontaine wrote his stories in French verse in the latter half of the seventeeth century;  they have been popular classics ever since. The collection includes stories of country folk, heroes from Greek mythology and animals, each tale containing a moral.

“Elijah and the Widow of Sarepta” was part of “The Bible” series which was commissioned to illustrate the Old Testament. It depicts the prophet Elijah upon first meeting a destitute widow with a dying son. At that moment she is gathering sticks to cook a final meal for herself and her son, knowing that they will soon die from starvation.  The widow shares her meager meal with Elijah, and miraculously, her food does not run out despite the continuing famine.

The Chagall etchings were donated to the Library by Mr. and Mrs. John S. Winslow.

For more information about Marc Chagall, take a look at items like these in the Library’s collection.

Chagall: A Biography by Jackie Wullschläger

Marc Chagall DVD 759.7 Chagall

Homage to Chagall: The Colors of Love DVD 709.2 Chagall HOM

Tags: Etchings, Marc Chagall

This entry was posted on Friday, July 31st, 2009 at 2:03 pm and is filed under Branches, Our Art. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.