Lives of the Artists: Marc Chagall

Lives of the Artists: Marc Chagall by Antony Mason (World Almanac Library) ISBN: 9780836856491

Plot Summary

Mason traces the long career of Marc Chagall with an eye to providing context for understanding his work.  Each section details some relevant biographical information, but also includes a time line of events, pictures of the artist or his work, pictures of works by other relevant artists or to typify relevant art movements, or pictures of prominent landmarks.  The page below for instance includes a timeline from 1905 to 1911 describing both notable events in the world of art and in Chagall's life and career.  The blurb on top of the left page discusses Chagall's travel to Paris.  There is a blurb about Montparnasse, which had become a hotbed of artistic activity during this period.  A sculpture by Bourdelle is presented to give a sense of the work being done in Montparnasse.  Chagall's painting on the far left is included to show the strains of van Gogh's work in his own (a relevant van Gogh work is seen on the far right).  The right hand page includes blurbs on Fauvism and Cubism -- two movements that inspired Chagall, though he was never formally part of them -- and includes examples of each: a work by Matisse and Picasso respectively.

Critical Evaluation

The work moves very quickly and concisely through the life and times of Chagall.  The pages are as filled with pictures as they are with text.  This turns out to be the work's greatest strength.  Mason has managed to choose work from Chagall and his contemporaries that clearly show the influence of other artist's and world events on his work.  For such a slim volume, the work is remarkably rich.  Mason seems to place developing a context for understanding Chagall's work as his main purpose, and pulls this off masterfully.  We get only as much of Chagall's personal life as is necessary to understand his work.  In many ways this is a good thing.  Often we lose the work in the sordid life of an artist.  Mason's reverence does a service: we can place the work and we can also trace the movement of art across the last century.

Reader’s Annotation

Mason's glossy, picture filled volume on Chagall is the perfect guide to understanding the artist and his many influences.

Information about the author

From the author's webpage: 

Eighty books – seems a bit excessive, really, even to me. But this is the product of more than twenty years of writing. And I have to say that some authors in my field – illustrated non-fiction – have written twice, even three times, as many.  How did I get here? Well, I worked as an editor with a couple of small publishing companies in London for about ten years (1977–87), and then I turned freelance. Whenever any writing tasks were offered to me, I took them, and so gradually I made the conversion from editor to writer – although I still do both.  I think I always wanted to be a writer, penning short stories as a child. I also have an insatiable curiosity. This is how I’ve ended up in non-fiction, where my magpie instincts to investigate virtually any area of knowledge have served me well.  My primary skill – so I’m told – is to research a subject and then convert it into clear, accessible and engaging text for a general readership, or for children.  I also translate books from French, and write website content.  For a couple of years (2008–10) I was a tutor in writing at Goldsmiths, University of London, working as a Fellow of the Royal Literary Fund. Latterly I have been closely involved in the Intergenerational Foundation, which aims to remind government and policy-makers of the need to think for the long-term to ensure an honourable and sustainable legacy to future generations. Since 2011 I have also been writing as the ‘Brussels expert’ for the Daily Telegraph and the Telegraph online travel website. (Mason, 2011)

Genre

Biography

Curriculum Ties

The book would be ideal in an art or drama class (Chagall not only worked in a variety of static arts, but developed stage sets and costumes).  Indeed the entire series of Lives of the Artists books have been approved by the California Department of Education as part of their database of Recommended Literature.  The site specifically suggests the books be used in Visual and Performing arts programs.

Booktalking Ideas

1.  Focusing on the artworks included in the book could be an ideal way to spark a reader's interest.

2. Discuss the role of influence and discuss with a classroom of artist's how they could use Chagall as a touchstone in their own work.

Reading Level/Interest Age

8th grade and up.

Challenge Issues

There are a few nudes included among the sculptures and paintings included.
 
I would openly greet any patron who presented a challenge to the work, giving them ample time to detail their complaint.  I would listen attentively.  To respond to these challenges I would have some reviews of the work on hand.   I would be prepared to explain that as a public institution libraries "cannot limit access on the basis of age or other characteristics" (ALA, 1999).  I would have copies of the library's collection policy on hand.  I would be prepared to politely discuss that parents can control what their children are exposed to by coming to the library with them and examining books they check out.  If the Teen Advisory Group had written reviews of the work I'd have them handy.  While it may be of little comfort to certain parents, I would also be prepared to discuss my staunch support of intellectual freedom and abhorrence of censorship.  As a last resort, I would be sure to keep copies or a reconsideration form on hand.

I would also discuss this book's inclusion in the California Department of Education's list of Recommended Literature.

Why did you include this book in the titles you selected?

I'm a big fan of Marc Chagall.  Instead of an engagement ring, my wife and I purchased a print of Birthday to hang in our room.

References

American Library Association. (1999). Strategies and tips for dealing with challenges to library materials. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/advocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/copingwithchallenges/strategiestips 


Mason, A. (2011). Antony Mason: About. Retrieved from http://www.antonymason.com/about.htm