Cats in Art: Paris Through the Window (Chagall, 1928)

[Sorry this is a day late...hosting a day-long graduation party yesterday for a loved one]

From my continuing weekly Sunday series of cats in art. I'm using some ideas from the coffee table book, The Cat in Art, by Stefano Zuffi.

Last week's post was titled identically....but was a much larger image created in 1913 vice this one from 1928.  The 1913 version is the "famous one" that you find in art history books and on the Internet, but the 1928 version is what Zuffi put in his book.

Image credit Zuffi, Paris Through the Window, Marc Chagall, 1928, watercolor on paper, 15" x 22", held by National Gallery, Prague.

For purpose of comparison, here again is the 1913 version from last week (image credit here):

Differences I noted, other than content: 

• 1913 oil on canvas; 1928 watercolor on paper
• 1913 held by Guggenheim Museum, New York; 1928 held by National Museum, Prague
• 1913 size 52" x 55"; 1928 size 15" x 22"

The images are quite similar but some differences are obvious.  First of, the later version just seems brighter and happier--the Eiffel Tower is a cheery yellow, the kitty seems not so woeful.  Even the two-faced men seem a tad less gloomy.

The later version has Paris depicted in a more muted fashion, less harsh, less stark.  Plus I like the curtains, rather than the panels of light Chagall used in 1913.

All in all, the 1928 version is more pleasing to my eye...yet its fame is less.  Probably because the 1913 is in the Guggenheim while the 1928 is in Prague.

Cats in Art: Paris Through the Window (Chagall)

From my continuing weekly Sunday series of cats in art. I'm using some ideas from the coffee table book, The Cat in Art, by Stefano Zuffi.



Image credit the Guggenheim Museum, Paris Through the Window, Marc Chagall, 1913, oil on canvas, 52" x 55", held by the Guggenheim Museau, New York.

This image is multifaceted, and the more you look at it, the more you see.

My initial impression--from a distance--was that the cat held center stage (naturally!).  But closer up, the cat clearly has a human face.  But then you note the Eiffel Tower, and the very large window pane on the left.  

And what about the two-faced individual on the right?  Two-faced--it's almost too easy of a stereotype.  And the disturbing pair of bodies floating above the two-faced guy could be the focal point of the cat's attention.

So back to the kitty.  The poor creature seems sad or in distress.  In a location where Paris is spread out before you, distress seems to be the last emotion one would want to have.  Perhaps the kitty knows it's a house cat, forever inside-bound, fated only to ever see Paris through the window...and thus the title.

Cats in Art: Paris THrough the Window (Chagall)

From my continuing Sunday series of Cats in Art, a repost from 2011 as life is interfering with fresh blogging.

Image and text credit here. [1913, Marc Chagall, Paris Through the Window, oil on canvas]

Russian painter Marc Chagall painted a dream-like vision of Paris through the open window of his studio. His cat seems to sit on the edge between dream and reality.

Cat looks a little fraught with angst. Maybe it's the whole urban scene, and he/she needs to get out to a trail to run.

 

Cats in Art: Paris Through the Window

My continuing Sunday series of Cats in Art.

Image and text credit here.  [1913, Marc Chagall, Paris Through the Window, oil on canvas]

Russian painter Marc Chagall painted a dream-like vision of Paris through the open window of his studio. His cat seems to sit on the edge between dream and reality.

Cat looks a little fraught with angst.  Maye it's the whole urban scene, and he/she needs to get out to a trail to run.