The artwork, titled “Burlesque and Circus” by Marc Chagall, created in 1985 in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France, is associated with the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement. The genre painting measures 68 x 54 cm and vividly encapsulates themes of performance and festivity, using Chagall’s characteristic whimsical and vivid style.
The artwork depicts a lively circus scene, bustling with various performers and animals. Central to the composition, a female performer dressed in a red top and green skirt appears to be dancing or leaping in the air with grace. To her side, a handler in a striped outfit guides a large, endearing beast, perhaps a bull, adding an element of balance and strength. Surrounding them are other figures, including musicians and audience members, creating a sense of communal joy and shared spectacle. The background, imbued with soft, pastel hues, enhances the dreamlike quality typical of Chagall’s works. The entire scene is framed with delicate, colorful borders, giving it an almost narrative essence, evoking the whimsy and wonder of the circus.
