Synthesis of myth and epic in Mark Chagall’s Biblical Message

Abstract

The article is devoted to historical and mythological problems in Mark Chagall’s art of post-war period. Like many other cultural figures of XX century, Chagall aims to find metaphysical basis to overcome spiritual crisis in European post-war culture. The article includes analysis of painting cycle of 1950-1960 named Biblical Message. The article concludes that Chagall offers his own way to overcome the value crisis, that is combining Biblical epic (interpreted as a source of universal values) with special mythological attitude to Nature.