“Finale of the Ballet ‘Aleko’,” created by Marc Chagall in 1942, is a remarkable piece executed in gouache on paper. Belonging to the Surrealism art movement, this artwork measures 38 x 57.1 cm and falls within the genre of design. It is a part of the “Aleko” series and is currently housed at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, NY, US.
The artwork vividly captures an ethereal scene dominated by a majestic white horse leaping through a dark, surreal sky. A luminous chandelier floats serenely above the horse, casting a warm glow amidst the encompassing darkness. Below, a backdrop of architectural structures, seemingly a distant cityscape, adds depth and contrasts starkly against the surreal elements above. The diminutive, fiery strokes outlining the buildings give an impression of dynamism and tension, emblematic of Chagall’s surrealist influences. The integration of fantastical elements and dream-like quality epitomizes the fusion of reality and imagination, a hallmark of Chagall’s oeuvre.
