"The Bridge" by Chagall.

Chagall chose the simple subject of a bridge, probably one over the Dvina River by Vitebesk, yet he executed it with such movement and violent expressionist brushstrokes, the whole scene seems turbulent and stormy, with the dark sky and the criss cross of lines constructing the bridge. Even the dark figure on the bridge seems to be fighting its way against the flow of Chagall’s brushstrokes.

The Cyrillic inscription of “the bridge” could perhaps be a reference to the artist’s encounter with Bella, his wife, whom he had met in the previous year through Thea Brachman. One of the chapters in Bella’s book of memories, “Erst Begegnung” bears the title “The Bridge” where she describes how fascinated she was by Chagall, with his wild and ambitious character. The river appears to have a deep significance for Chagall in his inner search for the soul, as he writes in “My Life”. “I see the river flowing away into the distance, the bridge beyond, and close at hand, the eternal barrier, the earth, the grave. Here is my soul. Look for me here”

Features:

• Original wash, brush and ink, pencil and crayon on paper
• Signed by the artist and dated “Chagall 1910,  inscribed in Cyrillic “Bridge” 
• Size: 217 x 163 mms