Opening events, 1985

This exhibition was conceived as a retrospective of the works by Marc Chagall, the last living member of a generation of artists who shaped the concept of modern art in the twentieth century. Unfortunately, Chagall died on March 28, 1985 at the age of 97, and the exhibtion in Philadelphia became a tribute to his life's work and the full range of his career. Guest curator, Susan Compton, installed the exhibition, which was jointly organized by the Royal Academy of Arts in London and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The Pew Memorial Trust, The Bohen Foundation, Pincus Brothers Maxwell, Inc., CIGNA Corporation, and Knight Foundation provided generous financial support along with an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and Humanities.