What's On at the Library

Marc Chagall, the Russian-born Jewish painter, is one of the few painters to have his works shown at the Louvre during his lifetime. Until January 15, 2012, you can view a selection of his paintings at the Art Gallery of Ontario's exhibit, Marc Chagall and the Russian Avant Garde.

Over 120 people got a taste of the exhibit at a November 22 talk by the AGO's David Wistow at the Yorkville Branch. The crowd was thoroughly impressed with this engaging presentation on Chagall's life and his colourful pieces and Yorkville staff called it a "must-see presentation!"

Luckily, you can hear David Wistow again on December 7 at the Locke branch at 7 pm.

Wistow explores Chagall's life and visionary work, offering insights into how and why Chagall created such astounding works. From his youth in Vitebsk (now in Belarus) to his participation in the early years of the Russian Revolution, and then Berlin and again Paris, escaping the Holocaust to live in America, Chagall interpreted his surroundings and struggles with a stunning use of colour and a sense of whimsy and wonder that made his works iconic examples of 20th century modern art.

David Wistow is an Interpretive Planner at the AGO and author of several books on art, artists and art history.