David and Bathsheba- Marc Chagall
painted in France
Marc Chagall: Russian-French descent and artist
This painting by Marc Chagall is the only abstract and modern piece of art that we included in our timelines. He painted this in the years after World War II. He was currently living in France when he painted it.
I think that Chagall used the war as inspiration for the choices he made in this painting. First of all, WWII was a time of world devastation. Especially if you were Russian or French- Marc Chagall being of both descent. Russia is devastated by losing the war, and experiencing extreme dictatorship under Stalin, while France is devastated by looting and bombing from the Nazi regime.
I think that Chagall uses these events as inspiration and comparison to David and Bathsheba. We realized while we were analyzing all of the items in our timeline that as time goes on, artists choose to view Bathsheba as the victim of abuse rather than just an accessory to David or the promiscuous mistress. I think that Chagall uses this interpretation of Bathsheba in terms of the post holocaust and World War Trauma. In the painting, Bathsheba is looking away from the painter, like she is shamed. She has a red being atop her head. Almost like a thought bubble of terror and abuse. She was abused by David, like the Jews were abused by the Nazis. The "took" the Jews, just like the story says David "took" Bathsheba. David is looking into the viewers eyes, almost like he is confronting his wrongs, like so many Nazi's were forced to after the war was over. He has a blue creature atop his head, which with more research about the Jewish people, I think could potentially signify Judaism. David has to repent for his sin just like the Nazi's have to do after they realize what they have done. I also think that David looks like he is realizing something. Like he is realizing the beauty of Bathsheba and that he was in the wrong. He looks sorrowful and sorry. And the creature above his head is angelic. It seems like perhaps he is realizing the true beauty Bathsheba holds, and feels bad for defiling and taking advantage of her. This could be similar to Nazi officers maybe. After the matter, they realize the true value and beauty the Jewish people had, and must live with the fact that they destroyed that.
After realizing that this painting was created in France right after the war, the painting made more sense. The choices that Chagall make in this painting align with the historical context. The historical context of post war France is based on recovery and repentance. Recovery for the Jewish people ripped from their homes in France, and recovery from the physical trauma the country endured when the Nazi occupation began. It is also a context of repentance and recollection. Repentance for what happened to millions of innocent people and recollection of the events in an attempt to understand more about life, God, and the human race. The choices Chagall makes with his colors especially in this painting encompass the elements of the post war world through the tragic tale of David and Bathsheba.
