At the Marc Chagall Museum in Vitebsk, you can explore the works of one of the most famous artists of the 20th century. Marc Chagall, a native of Vitebsk, left a vivid mark on world art, and this museum is a tribute to his legacy. His avant-garde works can now be seen in many leading European museums.
The museum complex consists of two parts: the Chagall Family House-Museum and the Art Center. Each room of the Marc Chagall Museum is dedicated to the life of the great artist`s family. The Marc Chagall Art Center is located in the Square of the Heroes of 1812 (4 km from the house-museum), where the artist`s works are displayed.
This house witnessed the childhood and youth of Marc Chagall. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century and restored in 1997 to accurately convey the atmosphere in which the future artist grew up.
1. Parents` Room – This living room recreates the interior where Chagall`s parents lived. The modest setting, wooden furniture, and traditional Jewish decorative elements help visitors understand the environment that shaped the future artist. On the walls, you can see photographs of the Chagall family, as well as copies of documents related to their lives.
2. Marc Chagall and His Brother David`s Room – This room recreates the atmosphere in which young Marc spent his early years. It features a bed, a table, and a chair, with reproductions of his early works on the walls. The window overlooking the yard is particularly noteworthy—it inspired Chagall to create many paintings where windows and their views play an important role.
3. Kitchen – This is the place where Marc Chagall`s family gathered. Here, you can see a traditional stove, utensils from that time, and other household items. This room helps to imagine the daily life of the family.
4. Exhibition Hall – The house-museum also has a small exhibition hall, also known as the Red Room. Here, copies of Chagall`s works related to Vitebsk are displayed. You can see famous paintings such as *Above the City* and *Vitebsk. The Blue House*, which reflect the artist`s love for his hometown.
5. Grocery Shop – This is where Marc Chagall`s mother sold groceries. Today, visitors can also buy souvenirs here.
Near the house, there is a small apple orchard and a courtyard recreated in the style of the early 20th century. The atmosphere of that time helps to understand how Vitebsk and its culture influenced Chagall`s work. Each room, each exhibit tells the story of how a boy from a provincial city became one of the greatest artists of his time. In Marc Chagall`s works, we see that he deeply loved his hometown, even when he lived and worked in Europe.
