Abstract art has been controversial since human beings discovered talent in bristles and color. Abstract paintings are primarily linked with abstract ideas–ones that can only be seen when picked apart and given a greater life.
Marc Chagall’s “Drawings for the Bible” exhibit in Barrington is abstract in the way that is obvious; the 58 etchings in total trace images of angels and kings and creation. For Bible-readers, we recognize the artwork as touching with our perspective of The Creator. The traveling exhibition by Sandra Bowden that our campus welcomes in recognition of Our Creator’s work, as well as the gifted hand of Chagall’s work, dates to 1887-1985.
Walking into the exhibit, starting on the back wall, the drawings seem to go in order of pivotal biblical events. Out of 41 pieces in the Large Gallery, the first three sneakily appear to lack much depth, only painted with light yellow and purple hues, which I assume follows a sense of the nothingness before Adam and Eve.
The piece directly following the three is the only blue painting for a while, with sketches of angels and doves whirling in a newly created sky. The piece must symbolize an introduction to creation on Earth, carving a pathway for the next set of pieces to follow the story of Adam and Eve, their freedom in the holy garden, and then their fall from God, tricked by Evil for the first time in humankind. As the order continues, the artwork vary in complexity and color schemes, making the biblical stories inspired by the works easy to attach.
Artist Chagall writes himself that, “Since in my inner life the spirit and world of the Bible occupy a large place, I have tried to express it [through my works].” The exhibit opened on the 4th of October and will close on December 14th.
Photo Courtesy of Becca Shemenski
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