Au cirque c. 1971

Marc Chagall made this painting, “Au cirque”, with what looks like a pretty upbeat palette of reds, yellows, and blues. It feels like he’s captured a moment, the instant of action and the thrill of performance. I imagine him stepping back and forth from the canvas, thinking about how best to capture the movement in the circus ring. Look how he's layered the paint to create that sense of depth and vibrancy! The colours are so alive; they almost seem to vibrate on the canvas! See the brushstrokes defining the figures and the horse. There’s a rhythm and energy in the way he’s applied the paint that reminds me of Matisse, but Chagall finds his own way. I think what connects painters across generations is a willingness to keep playing, experimenting, and not being afraid to embrace imperfection. These paintings remind us of the ongoing conversation artists have, inspiring one another to see the world in new and wonderful ways.