Use this URL to cite or link to this record in EThOS: https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.654580
Title: On spirit and self : Chagall, Jung, and religion /
Author: Swan, Jennifer
Awarding Body: University of Essex
Current Institution: University of Essex
Date of Award: 2013
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Abstract:
Previous analytical studies of the Russian-French artist Marc Chagall (Dieckmann 1981; Neumann 1959, 1979; Riedel 1983; Stein 1987) have emphasised the Jungian conceptualisation of archetypal imagery, and utilise Chagall as an artistic exemplar in support of archetypal theory. This study accepts the archetypal model and base for research, and refines the analytical discussion by incorporating Jung's concepts of religion and Individuation and Samuels' (1989:25-7) conceptualisation of the archetypal filter. The study initially defines: (1) The emergence patterns of archetypal imagery in Chagall's oeuvre during his eight decades of artistic development, and (2) Three 'life-time' periods delineated according to the artist's dates of migration and settlement between Russia, France, Germany, and America: Early-Life (1887-1922), Mid-Life (1923-1951), and Later-Life (1952-1985). A correlation is found between the emergence of, and increase in, Chagall's religious transformative imagery during critical periods in the artist's development, and collective 19th and 20th Century historical events in Russia and Europe. Four Chagallian image categories are then identified and examined for their religious and archetypal content: Natal Faith and The Bible; Zoomorphism, Bimorphism, and Anthropomorphism; Hierosgamos and the Alchemical Couple; and Christ and the Crucifixion. These images are significant for: (1) The visual replication of both physical and metaphorical instances of the transformation process, and (2) The presence of a sacredsecular binary. Discussion of Chagall's particular use of the sacred-secular binary within his imagery is augmented by the artist's writing on natal faith, spirituality, and the process and product of art. The argument is made that: visual emergences of religious transformative imagery concordant with critical points in Chagall's individuation development and/or collective change through historical events is suggestive of an archetypal expression. Chagall's artwork and his personal observations form a creative process perspective that is consistent with the expenencmg and expression of the spirit through the interiority of religious attitude.
Supervisor: Not available Sponsor: Not available
Qualification Name: Thesis (Ph.D.) Qualification Level: Doctoral
EThOS ID: uk.bl.ethos.654580  DOI: Not available
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