Apocalypse in Lilac, Capriccio
# Apocalypse in Lilac, Capriccio

Apocalypse in Lilac, Capriccio is a 1945 gouache painting by the Russian-born artist Marc Chagall. The 20-inch by 14-inch work was created by Chagall in response to the devastation brought by the Holocaust; its imagery consists of a crucified Jesus Christ screaming at a Nazi storm trooper while other acts of violence – another crucifixion, a man being hanged and an adult male stabbing a child – can be seen in the background while an inverted clock falls out of the sky.

## Overview

Chagall kept the painting in his personal collection. It was initially sold by the artist's son in 1985 to a private collector in France. In October 2009, it was purchased by the Ben Uri Gallery & Museum for US$43,000, despite estimates after the historical context correctly understood and researched by Ben Uri was released and recognised by the international community that it could be worth more than $1.5 million, and was publicly displayed for the first time in January 2010.

