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Paris l’Opera, Romeo and Juliet
Item Code: MC-opera-u-p
Lithograph
Cat Rais No
Sorlier 96
Date of Work
1964
Height (cm)
63.5
Width (cm)
101
Original lithographic poster printed by Mourlot, Paris as a promotional poster for the Office for French Tourism. Illustrated in Sorlier p.96.
In 1963 Chagall was commissioned by André Malraux to decorate the ceiling of the Paris Opera. He divided the vast space into several colour zones and wove together scenes and characters from the most beloved operas and ballets. The mural would honour the works of fourteen composers, from Mussorgsky to Mozart and Beethoven to Tchaikovsky . Chagall’s ceiling was unveiled on September 23, 1964 during the finale of a Mozart's Jupiter Symphony, the artist’s favourite composer. As the music swelled the great chandelier lit up to reveal the mural.
The opera house also asked Chagall to design a limited edition poster for the ceiling’s debut. The artist based the poster on a portion of the mural featuring Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet; the famous lovers hover in the air above Paris.
In 1963 Chagall was commissioned by André Malraux to decorate the ceiling of the Paris Opera. He divided the vast space into several colour zones and wove together scenes and characters from the most beloved operas and ballets. The mural would honour the works of fourteen composers, from Mussorgsky to Mozart and Beethoven to Tchaikovsky . Chagall’s ceiling was unveiled on September 23, 1964 during the finale of a Mozart's Jupiter Symphony, the artist’s favourite composer. As the music swelled the great chandelier lit up to reveal the mural.
The opera house also asked Chagall to design a limited edition poster for the ceiling’s debut. The artist based the poster on a portion of the mural featuring Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet; the famous lovers hover in the air above Paris.
Chagall was born in Vitebsk, Russia in 1887. After studying in St Petersburg he went to Paris where he befriended the avant-garde circle of artists. In 1917 he returned to his native Vitebsk where he was made Director and Commissar of Fine Art. However, his fantasy-based work irked the conservative authorities so he left for Moscow to design for the new Jewish Theatre.Returning to Paris in 1923 he met the art-dealer Vollard for whom he illustrated Gogol’s Dead Souls and the Fables of La Fontaine. Between 1941-47 he moved between occupied France and the USA, eventually settling near Nice. Chagall was a prolific artist, his work reminiscent of Jewish life, bible stories and of the folklore from his early years in Russia. He died in 1985.
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14 Orange Street, Uppingham
Rutland, LE15 9SQ, UK
+44 (0) 1572 821424
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mon-Sat: 9.30am - 5.30pm
Sunday: 11.00am - 4.00pm
The gallery is now open to visitors by appointment only. We are making regular weekly broadcasts on goldmark.tv where you can catch up on the latest news from the gallery. You can buy from us online or contact us by email or telephone. We look forward to hearing from you soon.