The Franco-Russian artist was considered a pioneer of Modernism - incorporating the art forms of Cubism, Symbolism and Fauvism - whilst maintaining his reputation as a major Jewish artist. 

The museum houses his collections centred on Old Testament themes - displayed chronologically through the books of Genesis and Exodus - as well as many works of secular inspiration. Notably the collection includes 17 masterpieces called The Biblical Message which tell the religious stories of the Old Testament. In 1966, after Marc Chagall donated the Biblical Message series to the French State, it was exhibited in Le Louvre in Paris, before finding its home on Cimiez Hill.