Created only two years after Marc Chagall’s arrival in Paris, I and the Village represents an experimental vision that combines early European modernism with Eastern European folklore. The creation consists of overlapping geometrical shapes. The work is derived from Cubism styles and has no realistic perspective. Rather, the artwork allows the audience to experience the realm of imagination and the unconscious mind.
The main part of the picture is focused on two images which are connected visually. The first image is a green person who is believed to be Chagall’s self-portrait while the second image is either a goat or a cow. Their eyes are connected through a luminous line which signifies the unique connection that people and animals build in the rural areas. In the background, there is the Hasidic village of Vitebsk which is shown in the position upside-down along with an Orthodox church. In addition to a goat belonging to the first image, there is a small woman depicted on the animal’s cheek. She seems to be milking the cow, creating several images from different time periods and distances. Chagall uses rich unnatural colors to create a dreamlike image.
In conclusion, I and the Village can be considered a true landmark of modernism that manifests the strength of its memory over sensory perception. Using his extraordinary geometrical approach, Chagall was able to create the evocative language of art that embodies the spirit of avant-garde surrealism and expressionism of the early 20th century.
When I look at this painting, I see a story being told about our lives and how they are composed of the people, places, and events that impact us. I see the two large faces staring at each other as if they are communicating with each other through memories, thoughts, or feelings. Upon closer inspection, I recognized there is a small scene of someone milking a cow, someone running after a goat, and a small village. This told the story of life's small everyday moments that consist of family, job, and town. There is also a large eye in the center of the painting which conveys someone or something is watching over us. I believe this illustrates how we carry our memories with us and they become a part of our life. There are flowers growing out of the two faces which show new life, hope, and our connection with nature. The image is portrayed with odd colors and a surreal view which makes the painting feel more sentimental than real. I believe the artist is trying to convey that every individual is unique and has their own collection of memories, relationships, and experiences.
