The Rider

1926

First Exhibition in the United States

In 1926 Chagall's first American exhibition, of about 100 works, was held at the Reinhardt Galleries in New York; the artist himself did not attend the opening.

1931

Journey to Palestine

In 1931, at the invitation of Meir Dizengoff, he traveled with his family to Tel Aviv and spent two months in the Holy Land; he later said that Palestine had given him "the most vivid impression of his life."

1941

Arrest in Marseille and Rescue by Varian Fry

In April 1941 Chagall and his wife were stripped of their French citizenship; they were arrested along with other Jews at the Hôtel Moderne in Marseille. Varian Fry secured the artist's release, as he was included on the list of cultural figures to be rescued by the United States.

1941

Travel: United States

June 1941

Emigration to the United States

On 10 June 1941 Chagall and Bella sailed from Lisbon on the Portuguese ship Mouzinho and arrived at Staten Island on 21 June; during the voyage the artist gave drawing lessons to 119 refugee children.

2 September 1944

Death of Bella

On 2 September 1944 Bella died suddenly of a streptococcal infection: the hospital had no penicillin because of wartime restrictions. Chagall stopped working for many months; nine months later he painted The Wedding Lights and Around Her in memory of his wife.