Marc Chagall: “The White Crucifixion”

Marc Chagall - White Crucifixion, 1938, Oil on canvas - 60 3/4 x 55 in (154.3 x 139.7 cm) The Art Institute of Chicago (click photo for larger image)“The White Crucifixion” by Marc Chagall (1887-1985) emphasizes the suffering of Jesus and the Jewish people. At the sides, violent acts against Jews occur, such as the burning of a synagogue and invaders. In the center, Jesus is shown crucified wearing a prayer shawl as a symbol that he is Jewish. The work is startling as the crucifixion, often seen as a symbol of oppression by the Jewish people, is instead being used to represent their suffering. A green figure carrying a bundle is shown crossing the foreground. This figure, who appears in several of Chagall's works, has been interpreted as being either a Jewish wanderer from Yiddish tradition or the Prophet Elijah. Two changes were made by Chagall to the work, a swastika on the armband of the soldier burning the synagogue was overpainted as well as the words "Ich bin Jude" on a placard around the neck of a man. There is also a Lithuanian flag in the upper right hand of the painting. Also, in the upper left hand portion of the painting there are the red flags of communism. Argentine-born Pope Francis was a well-established ally and friend of the Jewish people. He considered this painting to be his favorite.