ARTH 207 Research Assignment: Chagals I and the Village

Chagall’s "I and the village."
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Abstract
I and the village is one of the earlier works of Marc Chagall. The oil on canvas painting is hosted by the Museum of Modern Arts in New York. The art piece was developed from the artist’s personal style that is referred to as fantastic art. The approach is influenced by various art styles, but its uniqueness helped Chagall to develop a dream-like piece that is inspired by his childhood. The content of the art piece is subject to interpretation from various approaches. The artist’s use of figures, forms, geometric arrangements and use of color in I and the village contains symbolic meanings. The objects, geometric spaces between them as well as the events portrayed in the painting evoke meaning. The formal and historical analysis that includes iconographic, biographical, and theoretical analysis are appropriate ways of gathering insights about the painting. The intent of this paper is to propose research that will investigate the historical construct and significance of the art piece. The research will be addressed by answering three critical research questions and engaging in a discussion that satisfies the thesis. The research questions are; what is the historical context of I and the village from Chagall’s life experiences? Does Chagall’s I and the village offer insights on how the divide between thoughts and the physical world can be closed through art? Why does Chagall’s I and the village piece of art lack the desired concentration from art historians and historiography? A qualitative approach will be used that will involve literature review, and theoretical analysis of the information gathered. The insights gathered will add up to a compressive report titled Chagall's "I and the village."
Topic outline
Introduction
Thesis Statement:
The intent of this paper is to investigate the historical construct and significance of Chagall's "I and the village." The art piece is one of the artist’s earliest works and is a narrative self-portrait that feature Chagall’s childhood in the Russian village of Vitebsk. I and the village is a masterpiece, and analyzing it will offer great insights on making art and understanding how it relates to our reality.
Research Questions
What is the historical context of I and the village from Chagall’s life experiences?
Does Chagall’s I and the village offer insights on how the divide between thoughts and the physical world can be closed through art?
Why Chagall’s I and the village piece of art lack the desired concentration from art historians and historiography?
Chagall Biography
Understanding the art requires understanding the artist first. This section will focus on gathering key information about Chagall from his childhood to a professional artist.
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Formal Analysis
This part will offer insights on the natural meaning of the art piece. It will involve taking inventory of the physical aspects of the art piece to describe the key visual aspects. It will address the five sections of I and the village, with key focus on the lines, shape, form, color, texture and the overall impressions of the co...