Marc Chagall was born in Belarus in 1887, developing an early interest in art. In 1907, after studying painting in Russia, Chagall made way for Paris, living as an artist. It is there he fused together his own personal, dreamlike style of imagery with hints of Fauvism and Cubism creating some of his most lasting works that were also featured in the Salon des Indépendants exhibitions. After returning to Russia for a visit in 1914, the outbreak of WWI trapped him; when finally returning to France in 1923, the Nazi persecution forced Chagall to flee to the United States. As an established artist, he also saw success there, being commissioned by the ballet for set and costume design. Returning to France in 1948, Chagall published many more well known works, and began to branch out into sculpture, ceramics and mastering the art of stained glass windows. In 1977; Marc Chagall received the Grand Medal of the Legion of Honor, France’s highest accolade, as well as receiving a retrospective exhibition at the Louvre. He died at the age of 97, in March of 1985.