In addition to global political events, important themes in Chagall’s paintings include motherhood, birth, death and love, which appear again and again in various forms. And so the exhibition is also divided into these areas.

He also often uses animals such as the rooster, the horse, or the cow in his works. The cockerel is usually seen in connection with lovers. What it means to Chagall is not 100% known. For him, the horse probably symbolises freedom and the cow symbolises life.

His pictures often appear as if they were a reflection of a dream or his dream: they are abstract and at the same time as if this distortion were normality. They are surreal and full of fantasy and poetry. They are light and heavy at the same time. Yes, surrealism had a strong influence on his art. Nevertheless, Chagall never fully belonged to one of these movements. His style is unique and unmistakable.

Chagall increasingly painted scenes from the circus with bull-headed creatures playing the violin, colourful clowns and fish. These paintings seem to express his longing for freedom, which is realised in the circus (in contrast to his own reality). Despite the splendour of colour and the circus joy depicted, the works radiate a certain heaviness and sadness. Perhaps it is his painful experiences of flight and displacement that make them tangible. I was not allowed to photograph the large circus painting – so be sure to go and see for yourself!