Les trois bouquets ou Le bouquet renversé c. 1935 - 1937

Marc Chagall’s vibrant canvas presents us with three lush bouquets, a hovering couple, and a reclining animal, all rendered in dreamlike colors. The bouquets themselves are laden with symbols of love, life, and celebration. The recurring motif of the bouquet appears across cultures, from ancient Roman funerary wreaths, signifying eternal life, to Renaissance paintings where floral arrangements convey coded messages of affection and virtue. Here, the bouquets act as a powerful force, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. The blooms carry emotional weight, reminiscent of Van Gogh's sunflowers, yet Chagall infuses them with a sense of whimsy. Notice the animal reclining near one of the vases. Animals frequently appeared in Chagall's work; a symbol of innocence, freedom, and connection to primal roots. This motif evolved from ancient mythologies, where animals often bridged the gap between the human and divine realms. In Chagall’s vision, these symbols are in non-linear, cyclical progression, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings that resonate with the artist’s personal experiences and collective cultural memory.