Within Marc Chagall’s fantastical oeuvre, he was rarely as succinct as this: a descending angel, a recumbent woman, an ambrosial floral backdrop. Clothed as she is, this study for “L’ange et la fiancée” clearly treats the love of his life, Bella, as the betrothed rather than the bride.  In either case, the attending angel is a blessed confirmation of the blissful experience that awaits her.  According to Chagall, he was inspired to include angels throughout his long career because of an amazing vision he had when not yet twenty years old. One night as he drifted off to sleep, he thought he heard the rustle of wings. When he opened his eyes, an angel hovered above him and then in a rising, slow ascension disappeared through the ceiling.

Esquisse pour “L’ange et la fiancée” (Sketch for “The Angel and the Bride”) is a graphite and gouache preparatory study for the oil painting, circa 1930-1932.