The artwork titled “Cemetery Gates” was created by Marc Chagall in 1917 in Liozna, near Vitebsk, Belarus. Executed in oil on canvas, the piece is a notable work within the Cubism art movement, characterized by its distinct style and imaginative composition. “Cemetery Gates” measures 87 by 68.6 cm and is classified under the cityscape genre. It is currently housed in a private collection.
The artwork portrays the entrance to a cemetery, featuring a gate with inscriptions in Hebrew. The composition includes angular and fragmented structures typical of Cubist work, with geometric shapes forming the trees, buildings, and landscape. The use of blue and green hues dominates the scene, creating an ethereal and contemplative atmosphere. The blending of various perspectives and juxtaposed planes reflects Chagall’s unique approach to merging fantasy with reality. The trees and other elements become almost abstract forms, adding a dreamlike quality to the depiction. The overall arrangement of elements in the artwork guides the viewer’s eye toward the entrance, suggesting a journey or transition, perhaps symbolic of the passage between life and death.
