Mark Chagall, who died in 1985 at the age of 97, was without doubt one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. In his paintings he created a unique world full of pathos, poetry, humour and enchantment, drawing on vivid memories of Vetebak, his birthplace and childhood home in today’s republic of Belarus. He was clearly influenced by Bysantine and Russian icon painting and folk art, but wished his own  mythological floating figures and symbolism to be interpreted freely. The poetry and biblical inspiration of his paintings have always appealed to a broad public and his works are collected, exhibited and admired all over the world. Chagall’s enormous oeuvre, spanning seven decades, apart from paintings, gouaches, water colours and graphic works includes stained glass windows, ceramics, mosaics, tapestries and sculptures.