Apocalypse in Lilac, Capriccio
Apocalypse in Lilac, Capriccio is a 1945 gouache painting by the Russian-born artist Marc Chagall. The 20-inch by 14-inch work was created by Chagall in response to the devastation brought by the Holocaust; its imagery consists of a crucified Jesus Christ screaming at a Nazi storm trooper while other acts of violence – another crucifixion, a man being hanged and an adult male stabbing a child – can be seen in the background while an inverted clock falls out of the sky.[1]
Overview
Chagall kept the painting in his personal collection. It was initially sold by the artist's son in 1985 to a private collector in France. In October 2009, it was purchased by the Ben Uri Gallery for US$43,000, despite estimates after the historical context correctly understood and researched by Ben Uri was released and recognised by the international community that it could be worth more than $1.5 million,[2] and was publicly displayed for the first time in January 2010.[3]
References
- Randy Kennedy (January 1, 2010). "Small Museum Captures a Rare Chagall". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-01-10.
- Rashid Razaq and Julia Kennard (January 4, 2010). "Apocalypse wow: how gallery got a bargain Chagall". London Evening Standard.
- "Small Jewish museum buys rare Chagall". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. January 4, 2010. Retrieved 2009-01-10.