Product Description

When the painter Marc Chagall (1887-1985) moved from a small village in Russia to France, he took with him a wealth of memories that would have a great impact on his life's work. Dreams of his Russian home mix with impressions of Paris form his fantastic pictures. This book is an introduction to Chagall's fairy tale world, full of promise, mystery and a certain yearning for a world he had left behind in Russia. The reader never knows where memories end and dreams begin. Life and dreams melt into images full of magic and colour.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #851364 in Books
• Published on: 1998-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 28 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6?In these two volumes in a new art series, the works of Chagall and Rousseau are presented in an unorthodox format, with somewhat mixed results. Both books provide insight into the individuals' lives and sources of inspiration. In Chagall, the undulating, multicolored text complements the artist's floating figures and dynamic shapes seen in facing full-page reproductions. Hopler asks readers questions about what Chagall might have been thinking when he composed these works and points out aspects of his life that clearly relate to the painting on that page. The text in Rousseau is more disjointed and less interesting and is set against dark, distracting, blown-up details from the the artist's paintings. The information on Rousseau is made even more confusing by the inclusion of a dream sequence in which the artist envisions himself lost in a jungle. Readers are told that the "Parisian moon smiled down on the happy customs official, because it knew that these pictures would one day make Henri Rousseau very famous...." In both volumes, the quality of the reproductions is very good. However, all of the details about the size, date, and location of the actual paintings is printed on the back cover rather than on a separate page. Libraries needing books on specific artists will want to consider Chagall as an additional purchase, but might want to pass on Rousseau.?Carol Schene, Taunton Public Schools, MA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews
Playfully arranged multicolored text complements the artwork in this short but enticing introduction to Chagall's work. Full- color reproductions highlight his best-known work from the start to the finish of his career. Each of the 13 illustrations is accompanied by an engaging biographical anecdote from a key event in Chagall's life that will spark interest in him as an individual as well as an artist. The book's creative design makes this highly appropriate for use in art-appreciation lessons at the elementary level. (Biography. 8-11) -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German

Customer Reviews

Good source of color reproductions of Chagall's work
This children's book has a nice selection of works by Marc Chagall. The reproductions are large and in color. The accompanying text is lively and creative, providing poetic, artistic and biographical commentary. Children of all ages and adults with interest in art and art by Marc Chagall in particular should enjoy this book. I found it odd that nowhere in the brief biographical data was there any mention of Chagall's Jewish roots.

Good starter
This is a great introductory book for children learning about art. The pictures are large and the analysis of the paintings are not too in-depth for children. I would recommend this for anyone looking for a primer in Chagall's art.