View from the Back
Ramblings of a retiree in France
Trip to Musée National Marc Chagall, Nice
Artistic treasures are plentiful in Nice. Some gems you’ll find discreetly tucked away in peaceful gardens, up craggy hillsides, and even atop ancient ruins. Others are scattered along the Mediterranean seaside. One remarkable treasure, perched high above Nice, is Cimiez Hill, a wealthy neighbourhood choc full of Belle Epoque buildings. From this extraordinary vantage point, you get wonderful views over the azure Mediterranean Sea.
At the foot of Cimiez Hill is the Musée National Marc Chagall. The museum pays homage to the talents and philanthropic generosity of the great Franco-Russian artist. It’s an extraordinary art museum and houses the largest public collection of Chagall’s works in the world. It includes seventeen masterpieces entitled The Biblical Message which Chagall donated to the French state in 1966. Chagall bestowed a staggering 250 works on the museum in 1972 and kept adding to the collection right up until his death in 1985. Other collectors have also bequeathed Chagall pieces and there have been acquisitions, purchases and loans from other art venues.
With the collaboration of Marc Chagall, the museum’s architectural design includes a large airy, polygon shaped room. It was inaugurated in 1973 in his presence. Here the first of twelve biblical interpretations are exhibited. They are inspired by the first two books of the Old Testament: Genesis and Exodus. The remaining five wall-size paintings – The Song of Songs explodes in fiery reds, telling the story of Solomon. All seventeen masterpieces render powerful spiritual and religious stories told through Marc Chagall’s artistic colour, passion, and whimsical symbols.
The Musée Marc Chagall is a favourite of mine and must see for art lovers visiting Nice. Its peaceful and light filled environment is the perfect arena to discover and enjoy the artist’s imaginative style. Several decades of Chagall’s artistic career (1903 – 1985) are exhibited here. Chagall, though born in Russia, spent much of his life in France, living and working in Paris and the south of France. He’s buried in Saint-Paul de Vence, not far from Nice.
Link to Chagall Exhibition, Aix-en-Provence
View from the Back 
On my bucket list! Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 3 people
My pleasure
LikeLike
Wonderful Sheree… when Lockdown is over, it’s in my list! Chagall is a great favourite of mine. Really joyful work, very uplifting in these times… He uses beautiful blues. I saw a show years ago which managed to include some of his stained glass which was gorgeous, the blues so bright with light behind them.
Lovely to read this and see inside this great museum. Xx
LikeLiked by 3 people
He’s another of my favourites too. Thanks Maxine, love your recent NHS series.
LikeLike
Only in my dreams but it would be a lovely visit.
LikeLiked by 2 people
😎
LikeLike
That is wonderful. I believe I did see this in the 80’s while I was attending the Sorbonne. I visited several museums in the South of France. What an interesting place to revisit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s lovely and often quite quiet which I love.
LikeLiked by 1 person
💗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Trip to Musée National Marc Chagall, Nice
LikeLike
cathynative77@gmail.com Pastor Cathy Native
On Wed, May 13, 2020 at 11:14 AM View from the Back wrote:
> Sheree posted: “Artistic treasures are plentiful in Nice. Some gems youâll > find discreetly tucked away in peaceful gardens, up craggy hillsides, and > even atop ancient ruins. Others are scattered along the Mediterranean > seaside. One remarkable treasure, perched high above” >
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh sheree – you lucky duck to have been at this museum too!
This one is in my list (perhaps in two years)
And love your photos so much
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I’m fortunate to have this on my doorstep and be able to visit for free.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d loved this. I just realized that it has been a decade since I last went there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Time for another visit! It’s one of my fave museums.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This made me follow the link, for which I thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure!
LikeLiked by 1 person
If I were still teaching art I would share your post. And a magnificent view for sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Ruth
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really interesting post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Pooja
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now I have another reason to visit Nice! Thank you for your post. CHAGALL!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are lots of good readons to visit!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your post is interesting. I just learned about Nice and its museum from your post. Beforehand, all I knew about France is only Paris.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There’s lots more to France than Paris, and Nice, though they’re the most visited spots.
LikeLike
Pingback: Sculpture Saturday #24 – View from the Back
Pingback: Sculpture Saturday #35 – View from the Back
Pingback: We’re now a UNESCO site! – View from the Back
Pingback: Must-See Exhibitions in Paris – View from the Back