The artwork titled “Bride with Blue Face” was created by Marc Chagall in 1932, during his time in France. This oil on canvas painting exemplifies the surrealist movement, with dimensions measuring 100 by 81 centimeters. As a genre painting, it represents a scene from everyday life in a stylistic manner that detaches from realism, typical of Chagall’s oeuvre. Currently, this piece resides within a private collection.
The artwork depicts a central figure that is presumably the bride, characterized by a striking blue face that stands out amid the colorful, dream-like backdrop. The bride is clothed in an outfit that radiates with a mix of white and blue hues, adorned with a vibrant array of flowers embodying the celebratory nature of matrimony. Surrounding the bride are various fantastical elements and characters, which contribute to the surreal atmosphere. Above the bride, an animal that appears to be a red cow or bull floats effortlessly, bearing a yellow bird and a figure cloaked in pink upon its back. The use of such whimsical creatures is emblematic of Chagall’s work, merging the real with the mythical.
The composition is busy with activity and symbolism, with a domestic structure and a musician, suggested by the presence of a figure with a violin, positioned in the upper right corner of the canvas. Other figures and animals are scattered throughout the dimly lit background, while the foreground is dominated by the bride’s expressive, larger-than-life form. The scene seems to capture a moment that is simultaneously intimate and universal, evoking a sense of otherworldly celebration. Chagall’s use of bright, contrasting colors and his disregard for conventional perspective enhance the surreal quality of the painting, inviting the viewer to interpret the scene through a lens of emotional resonance and dream-like nostalgia.
