Rural Composition 1965

Here we see a print by Marc Chagall, featuring a pastoral scene filled with dreamlike imagery. The dove, prominently placed, carries profound symbolism—traditionally a messenger of peace, love, and reconciliation. Since ancient times, the dove has appeared in many cultural and religious contexts. From its role in the biblical story of Noah's Ark, signaling the end of the flood, to its association with Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, the dove's symbolism has traversed time, connecting it to themes of hope and renewal. Consider how the motif of the dove also appears in Picasso’s lithograph, becoming an emblem of peace in the aftermath of the Second World War. This intertextuality suggests a powerful force engaging viewers on a subconscious level, where collective memory is at play. A continuous visual language that transcends individual expression. The dove and its symbolic cargo of peace has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings through the ages.