Marc Chagall was born in July 1887 in Moyshe Segal, now Belarus, and went on to study art in St Petersburg at the age of 19 His vibrant works were a detour from the usual artworks seen during the 20th century - mixing influences from his childhood, Church iconography and traditional Jewish art His hometown of Vitebsk continued to remain one of his biggest inspirations in his art till the end of his 75 year long career, during which he created over 10,000 impressive works of art Upon moving to Paris in 1911 to pursue art further, Chagall gained a new perspective and also met Picasso This led to him experimenting with Cubism and Fauvism, with a new intensity appearing in the colours that he used and a new contemporary western lexicon appearing in his art The art he would then create, replete with personal symbols, often repeated through his oeuvre, like cows, roosters, fiddlers and lovers suspended mid-air, would be highly appreciated in the art world and considered some of his most experimental

World War I caused the artist’s visit to his family in Russia to be extended, with him finally gaining citizenship in his home country during the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917 Although short-lived, he was also appointed the commissar of art in Vitebsk and his art took a more surreal path with blue cows and flying horses making appearances as well In 1922, he finally left Russia never to return, first going to Berlin and then settling in Paris While in Berlin, Chagall learnt etching and embarked on the journey of creating stunning etchings, gouaches and colourful lithographs

He also became increasingly political through his art, using his interpretation of the Crucifixion of Christ as commentary against the mistreatment of Jews he witnessed in his childhood and during the Nazi regime Nearing the end of his career, Chagall was living in the US creating not only paintings but tapestries, sculpture and ceramics