Aleko and Zemphira by Moonlight. Study for backdrop for scene 1 of the ballet Aleko 1942

Marc Chagall made this study for a backdrop in watercolor, a medium that allows for all kinds of layering and blending to evoke the dreamlike atmosphere of the scene. The piece feels like a dance of colour, mainly blues that seem to melt into each other, creating depth and a sense of movement. Up close, you can see how the paint is applied in thin washes, almost like a memory fading in and out. There's a red rooster floating near the top, rendered with playful outlines and blocks of flat, bold pigment, in contrast to the misty background. That dash of crimson against the blues adds a burst of energy, like a visual shout. Chagall's exploration of folklore and personal narrative reminds me of Paula Rego, in the way both artists evoke worlds that are both familiar and deeply strange. Ultimately, Chagall invites us to embrace the magic inherent in the everyday.