For me, a circus is a magic show that appears and disappears like a world. A circus is disturbing. It is profound. -Marc Chagall Chagall drew inspiration from the theme of the circus throughout his life. As a child in Russia, he had been fascinated by the travelling acrobats he saw at village fairs. After he moved to Paris, Ambroise Vollard regularly accompanied him to the circus, where he would sit in the audience and sketch. The chaotic and colourful atmosphere of the circus captivated Chagall. Here, he saw all aspects of life represented, from the comic to the tragic. He later said, 'For me a circus is a magic show that appears and disappears like a world.' Circus performers, with their outlandish costumes and garish make-up, were ideal characters to populate Chagall's dream-like compositions. This image was created by Chagall for the release of a special folio on his 'Le Cirque D'Izis' which was created in 1965. It was executed in France by Mourlot Freres with whom Chagall made all of his lithographs beginning in 1950 until his death in 1985.