The ceiling of the Palais Garnier’s auditorium was replaced in the 60s. It’s André Malraux, Minister of Cultural Affairs, who commissioned the artist Marc Chagall to create a new decoration, more modern, to bring the building back into fashion.
In his composition, the painter pays tribute to 14 musicians, to whom we owe famous operas and ballets. Each element refers to a work, for instance Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky, The Firebird by Stravinksy or Romeo and Juliet by Berlioz.
Chagall did not throw himself headlong into this project. He took the time to read Charles Garnier’s writings to get a better grasp of his ideas. Here he reintroduces colors dear to the architect.
