Chagall Couture. A tribute to the artist

The exhibition is divided into two parts: the first, from 10 October 2026 to 18 January 2027, is devoted to the engravings from *Les Âmes mortes* and the colours of the *Message Biblique*; the second, from 6 February to 23 May 2027, focuses on the illustrations of La Fontaine’s *Fables* and the major figures of the *Message Biblique*.

Stemming from an educational collaboration with the Lycée des Côteaux in Cannes, the exhibition offers a contemporary reinterpretation of Chagall’s work through the medium of dressmaking. Teachers and students on the DN MADE SPECTACLE Stage Costume course have explored the theme of colour inspired by the Biblical Message and undertaken a project based on black-and-white engravings. Costumes and headdresses engage in a dialogue with the artist’s works and transcend the materiality of his art.

With a keen interest in the worlds of the circus, dance and music, Chagall created sets and costumes for the Kamerny Jewish National Theatre in Moscow in 1920, the New York Ballet Theatre for *Aleko* and *The Firebird* in 1942 and 1945, the Opéra Garnier for *Daphnis and Chloé* in 1958, and subsequently the Metropolitan Opera in New York for *The Magic Flute* in 1966. For him, costume played a vital role in bringing the work to life and contributed to the emergence of a true total art.

Deeply attuned to materials, Chagall placed great importance on textiles, which he incorporated notably into his collages of the late 1960s. These formal experiments accompanied his research  aimed at designing monumental works.

The works created by the students resonate with this essential aspect of the artist’s approach. Like Chagall, they sought to allow light to penetrate the material through the interplay of layered fabrics and variations between matt and glossy surfaces.

A partnership between the Marc Chagall National Museum and DNMADE SPECTACLE: Stage Costumes

As part of their remit for artistic and cultural education, the National Museums of the 20th Century in the Alpes-Maritimes are developing a number of initiatives aimed at raising awareness amongst the widest possible audience about art and heritage. Among these, contributing to students’ professional development is a key focus, as demonstrated by this cultural partnership, which combines an encounter with Chagall’s work, an exploration of the various roles within the museum, and practical exhibition experience within the unique setting of a national museum.

The DNMADE (National Diploma in Arts and Design) is a three-year bachelor’s degree. It aims to equip students with solid professional knowledge and skills across the various specialisms within arts and design. The DN MADE with a specialisation in PERFORMING ARTS, focusing on stage costume design at Lycée Les Coteaux, combines an artistic approach with a technical one, emphasising an ongoing dialogue between historical reconstruction and contemporary creation. The course covers all the technical, sociological, dramaturgical and aesthetic aspects of costume creation, from design through to production. The programme places significant emphasis on technical skills and aims to foster creativity and innovation.

DNMADE Team
Artistic and Technical Direction:
Elisabeth Bastardo, instructor in Applied Arts, Design, and Crafts
Christine Buard, instructor in Costume Design
Sophie Solohub, instructor in Costume Design

Museum Team

Curators:
Anne Dopffer, Director of the National Museums of the 20th Century in the Alpes-Maritimes
Grégory Couderc, Heritage Curator at the Marc Chagall National Museum
Gaïdig Lemarié, Head of Cultural Partnerships for the National Museums of the 20th Century in the Alpes-Maritimes

_{Images in the main text: Marc Chagall, Noah’s Ark (detail), 1961–1966, oil on canvas, 236 × 234 cm; The Song of Songs II (detail), 1957, oil on canvas-mounted paper, 139 × 164 cm. Donated by Marc and Valentina Chagall, Marc Chagall National Museum, Nice. Photo: Patrick Massabo. © Adagp, Paris, 2026.
Header:  A student on the DN MADE course wearing her design in front of Marc Chagall’s work, *Jacob’s Dream* (detail), 1960–1966, oil on canvas, 195 cm × 278 cm, donated by Marc and Valentina Chagall, 1966, Marc Chagall National Museum, Nice. Photo: National Museums of the 20th Century of the Alpes-Maritimes / Patrick Massabo © ADAGP, Paris, 2026. 
Poster: A DN MADE student wearing her design in front of Marc Chagall’s work, *Noah’s Ark* (detail), 1961–1966, oil on canvas, 236 cm x 234 cm, donated by Marc and Valentina Chagall, 1966, Marc Chagall National Museum, Nice. Photo: National Museums of the 20th Century of the Alpes-Maritimes/Patrick Massabo © ADAGP, Paris, 2026.}