How did Bella Chagall’s death in 1944 affect Marc Chagall’s paintings?

Following the death of his wife, Bella, in 1944, Marc Chagall’s work was profoundly influenced by his grief. Memories of Bella, often depicted within the setting of their shared hometown of Vitebsk, became a recurring and central motif in his paintings.1

In his subsequent works, Bella frequently appeared as a "weeping wife" or a "phantom bride," serving as a poignant expression of his loss. Notable examples of this period include:1

• Around Her (1945), where she is portrayed as a weeping wife and phantom bride.1
• The Wedding Candles (1945), which features her as a bride.1
• Nocturne (1947), which also depicts her as a bride.1

These paintings reflect how Chagall channeled his personal mourning into his art, transforming his memories of Bella into enduring, symbolic imagery.1