When it comes to Marc Chagall, one of the greatest artists of the 20th century, whose work has become a symbol of Jewish culture, many imagine his flying lovers, fairy-tale villages and the colorful life of Vitebsk. But behind this shine there is an invisible figure - his mother, Feige-Ite Segal. It was she, embodying the image of a traditional Jewish mother, who laid in Marc the foundations that allowed him to become a legend.
Feiga-Ita Chernina was born in 1871 as the first-born of a butcher in Lyozna, a small town 40 km from Vitebsk, which was part of the Pale of Settlement, an area where Jews of the Russian Empire were allowed to settle. In 1886, after his death, she moved to Vitebsk and married her cousin, 23-year-old Khatskl Mordukhovich Shagal.
Like many Jewish women of that time, Feige-Ite was the mistress of the house, but her role was not limited to this. She was the keeper of traditions, ensuring compliance with kashrut, holidays and customs. For children, the mother became the primary source of knowledge about the world, culture and faith. Yiddish was Chagall's main language until his youth; it was the language of his home. It allowed for the cherishing of memories of a sense of protection and a certain belonging, of participation in an independent value system, in religious traditions and laws, which a Jew in the 19th century could not find anywhere else.
Feige-Ite had a strong character, which was necessary for the family’s survival in conditions of poverty and anti-Semitic restrictions. Her husband, who worked as a laborer in a herring merchant's shop, earned little, and most of the worries about running the household and raising children fell on her shoulders. Despite all the difficulties, Feige-Ite was able to create an atmosphere where children felt love, care and confidence.
Chagall recalled that his mother was strict but fair. Her word in the house was law, but behind this severity hid boundless tenderness. She intuitively understood how important it was to give children an education that would allow them to find their place in the world.
One of the key traits of a traditional Jewish mother is the ability to preserve the family and its values ​​in any circumstances. In Vitebsk, where poverty reigned and Jews lived under the constant oppression of anti-Semitism, Feige-Ite was able to keep her family afloat while maintaining its cultural identity. Moreover, Feige-Ite found time to take care of her younger sisters. Even when she was married, she traveled to neighboring cities to check how suitable their grooms were as husbands for her sisters. When entering shops, she will collect local gossip and even look into the windows of contenders in order to find out everything in advance.
The success story of Marc Chagall is impossible without maternal support. When, as a teenager, he announced that he wanted to become an artist, this caused bewilderment and protest on the part of his father. In Jewish families, the professions of artisans, doctors or teachers were considered more honorable and safer than the arts. However, the mother, despite traditional views, believed in her son.
When Mark decided to enroll in art school, Feige-Ite did the impossible: she raised money for his studies. According to Chagall himself, she even resorted to a trick, paying the teacher from the store’s cash register to accept her son. This gesture was the beginning of the path that led Chagall to worldwide recognition.
Feige-Ite not only supported her son, but also inspired him. Many images of her love and care were reflected in his works: a mother holding a child, or a woman standing at the center of the family - these motifs can be clearly seen in Chagall’s work.
Feige-Ite Segal died in 1915, at the height of the First World War. Her passing was a huge loss for Marc Chagall. Although by that time he was already living far from his native Vitebsk, the connection with his mother remained deep and unbreakable. This loss was reflected in his work - her image, as a symbol of love and care, continued to appear in his works for many years.
Feige-Ite lived a difficult but worthy life. Her son Mark left Vitebsk to study and work first in St. Petersburg, then in Paris and other European cities. Despite the distance, the connection with his mother remained important to him.
Feige-Ite became an example of perseverance and patience. In conditions of anti-Semitism and social prejudice, she managed to save her family and raise children who became successful and respected people. Her life's journey shows how important a mother's role is in shaping the personality and achievements of her children.