The novel is told from Marc Chagall’s point of view and in it he reflects back on his life and the tumultuous events of the twentieth century that shaped his life and his work

The White Crucifixion starts with Chagall’s difficult birth in Vitebsk 1887, in the present-day Belarus, and tells the surprising story of how the eldest son of a herring schlepperbecame enrolled in art school where he quickly gained a reputation as ‘Moyshe, the painting wonder’. 

Prolific writer and the author of this novel Michael Dean, in conversation with Monica Bohm-Duchen, will bring to life the artistic qualities and life
experiences of Marc Chagall and his contemporary artists.

Monica Bohm-Duchen is an independent writer, lecturer, and curator. Based in London, she has worked for such leading institutions as the Tate, the
National Gallery, and the Royal Academy of Arts. Her special interest is the life and work of Chagall. This event will inspire lovers of literature, art, art history and history in general. It will be held in the state-of-the-art lecture theatre at UCS.

The novel paints a vivid picture of a Russian town divided by belief and wealth, rumours of pogroms never far away, yet bustling with talented young artists.