Over the Town was painted by Marc Chagall in 1913.  It pictures Chagall and his beloved wife, Bella, flying over the village of Vitebsk, Belarus, his birthplace. Marc Chagall was a major Jewish artist and named in the movements of Cubism, Expressionism, and Modernism. He died in 1985 at the age of 97.

Chagall abstracted his work with placement, color, storytelling, and often, flying humans. This piece tells the story of his marriage. It is a celebration of love and suggests the experiences of being swept off your feet or feeling lighter than air. Chagall painted love and levitating often as he and Bella took flight in many settings clinging to each other all the while. After Bella died, Chagall continued to include her as a flying presence in his artwork.

Chagall once said, “Only love interests me, and I am only in contact with things that revolve around love.” I think of this artist now as a noose was discovered in the garage stall of Bubba Wallace, the only African-American NASCAR driver. Wallace recently spoke in support of Black Lives Matter and was instrumental in the banning of the Confederate flag from NASCAR events.

We are at a profound point in the history of our country.  Will this be a breaking point, a turning point, a tipping point?  We are called in these times to respond with the power, commitment, and truth of love for all people beyond any difference or diversity; any history, prejudice, or allegiance; any cynicism, egoism, or ignorance.

I hope you will let your eyes wander over this delicate scene from the red building, to the tiered roofline, to the winding fence, to the beautiful, brave couple overhead.  I hope Over the Town will lift your mind and strengthen your heart to speak and act against anything that is not love. This is our work, our faithful responsibility, our way to liberty and justice for all in God’s name. May it be so again and again. Amen.

In faith and hope,

Sandy Prouty