Marc Chagall - Three Candals

This print is a beautiful example of the dreamlike, poetic style of Marc Chagall (1887–1985), one of the most influential modernist artists of the 20th century.

Based on the imagery, this specific work is titled "The Three Candles" (originally Les trois cierges), painted around 1938–1940. It is a classic representation of Chagall’s recurring themes: love, Jewish heritage, and the blending of reality with fantasy.

Key Elements of the Print

• The Lovers: The central figures are a bride and groom. For Chagall, the bride was almost always a tribute to his first wife and muse, Bella Rosenfeld. Their embrace represents a "flying" love that transcends the physical world.

• The Three Candles: On the left, the large, glowing candles symbolize light, warmth, and spirituality. In many of Chagall's works, candles refer to the Sabbath or Jewish wedding traditions.

• The Dreamscape: Notice the figures floating in the background, the tiny village houses (likely representing his hometown of Vitebsk), and the lush green foliage. The lack of traditional perspective creates a feeling of a memory or a dream.

• The Palette: Chagall is famous for his "stained-glass" use of color. The deep greens, rich reds of the ground/cloth, and the brilliant white of the wedding dress are hallmarks of his emotional use of color.

Historical Context

Chagall painted this during a turbulent time in Europe. As a Jewish artist living in France during the rise of the Nazi party, his work often leaned into these romantic, spiritual "escapes" as a way to preserve the culture and memories of the world he felt was under threat.

About the Artist

Marc Chagall was a Russian-French artist who refused to be tied to a single movement, though he influenced Surrealism and Expressionism. He is world-renowned for his paintings, stained glass (such as the windows at the UN and the Art Institute of Chicago), and the ceiling of the Paris Opera House.