Au cirque c. 1971

Marc Chagall made this painting, "Au cirque", and wow, what a lively, dreamy scene! The colors are so joyous and a bit out of sync, like a slightly-out-of-tune circus band. I love how the whole thing shimmers with energy, like the canvas itself is breathing. Look at the figures in the audience—they're not quite solid, are they? They're suggested with quick daubs of color, almost like a memory of a crowd. And the red sun, or is it a spotlight, it’s not quite defined, hovering above, is a blob of pure childlike wonder. This painting reminds me of Joan Miró, both share this playful, dreamlike quality. Ultimately, it’s not about perfection but about feeling, a celebration of color and the sheer joy of making marks. Art is always an ongoing conversation, right? Chagall is just adding his wonderfully quirky voice to the mix.