Marc Chagall

Marc Chagall, The Couple at the Tree, from The Lithographs of Chagall, 1963

1963

This exquisite lithograph by Marc Chagall (1887–1985), titled Couple Devant L’arbre (Couple Before the Tree), from the album The Lithographs of Chagall, Volume I, originates from the 1960 edition published by Andre Sauret, Editeur, Monte Carlo, and George Braziller, Editeur, New York, and printed by Mourlot Freres, Paris, October 1960. This lyrical composition reflects Chagall’s enduring themes of love, nature, and spiritual harmony. Couple Devant L’arbre portrays two lovers standing tenderly before a radiant tree—a symbol of life, unity, and divine connection. Bathed in Chagall’s signature palette of luminous blues, greens, and reds, the figures appear suspended between dream and reality, evoking both earthly affection and cosmic transcendence. The work captures the artist’s unique ability to merge personal intimacy with universal emotion, transforming a simple moment of devotion into an emblem of timeless love and renewal. Executed as a lithograph on velin paper, this work measures 12.216 x 9.875 inches (31.03 x 25.08 cm). Unsigned and unnumbered as issued. The edition exemplifies the exceptional craftsmanship of the Mourlot Freres atelier, renowned for its close collaboration with Chagall and its technical perfection in fine art lithography. Artwork Details: Artist: Marc Chagall (1887–1985) Title: Couple Devant L’arbre (Couple Before the Tree), from The Lithographs of Chagall, Volume I, 1960 Medium: Lithograph on velin paper Dimensions: 12.216 x 9.875 inches (31.03 x 25.08 cm) Inscription: Unsigned and unnumbered as issued Date: 1960 Publisher: Andre Sauret, Editeur, Monte Carlo, and George Braziller, Editeur, New York Printer: Mourlot Freres, Paris Catalogue raisonne references: Cain, Julien, and Fernand Mourlot. Chagall Lithographe. Andre Sauret, Editeur, 1960, illustration 292. Cramer, Patrick, and Meret Meyer. Marc Chagall: Catalogue Raisonne Des Livres Illustres. P. Cramer ed., 1995, illustration 43. Condition: Well preserved, consistent with age and medium Provenance: From the album The Lithographs of Chagall, Volume I, published by Andre Sauret, Editeur, Monte Carlo, and George Braziller, Editeur, New York, 1960 Notes: From the album, The Lithographs of Chagall, Volume I, 1960. Published by Andre Sauret, Editeur, Monte Carlo, and George Braziller, Editeur, New York; printed by Mourlot Freres, Paris, October 1960. Excerpted from the album, This album, which was designed and compiled by Fernand Mourlot and Andre Sauret, was finished in October 1960. The reproductions were printed on the presses of Draeger Freres, and the original lithographs on the presses of Mourlot Freres. The Imprimerie Nationale de France is responsible for the typography. There exists a special edition, in French, of this album composed of C examples on velin d'Arches numbered from I to C, and including two original lithographs, in a limited edition of C copies, numbered and signed by the artist, and a series, with margins, of the XII original lithographs contained in this album. About the Publication: The Lithographs of Chagall, Volume I, published in 1960 by Andre Sauret, Monte Carlo, and George Braziller, New York, marks the beginning of a monumental five-volume catalogue project chronicling Marc Chagall’s prolific achievements in lithography. Conceived and supervised by Fernand Mourlot—Chagall’s long-time printer and collaborator—the series celebrates the technical brilliance and emotional depth of Chagall’s printmaking. Volume I features twelve original lithographs alongside meticulously printed works that trace the evolution of Chagall’s imagery from the 1920s through the 1950s. The publication exemplifies the partnership between artist, printer, and publisher that defined mid-century fine art printing in France, uniting precision craftsmanship with poetic expression. Through its themes of love, faith, and nature, this volume encapsulates Chagall’s world—a visionary synthesis of the earthly and the divine. The Lithographs of Chagall series remains one of the most significant undertakings in modern printmaking, a testament to both Chagall’s imagination and Mourlot’s unmatched mastery of the lithographic process. About the Artist: Marc Chagall (1887–1985) was a Belarus-born French painter, printmaker, and designer whose visionary imagination, radiant color, and deeply poetic symbolism made him one of the most beloved and influential artists of the 20th century. Rooted in the imagery of his Jewish heritage and the memories of his childhood in Vitebsk, Chagall’s art wove together themes of faith, love, folklore, and fantasy with a dreamlike modern sensibility. His unique style—merging elements of Cubism, Fauvism, Expressionism, and Surrealism—defied categorization, transforming ordinary scenes into lyrical meditations on memory and emotion. Influenced by Russian icon painting, medieval religious art, and the modern innovations of artists such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Georges Braque, Chagall developed a profoundly personal visual language filled with floating figures, vibrant animals, musicians, and lovers that symbolized the transcendent power of imagination and love. During his early years in Paris, he became an integral part of the Ecole de Paris circle, forming friendships with Amedeo Modigliani, Fernand Leger, and Sonia Delaunay, and his creative spirit resonated with that of his peers and successors—Alexander Calder, Alberto Giacometti, Salvador Dali, Joan Miro, Wassily Kandinsky, Marcel Duchamp, and Man Ray—artists who, like Chagall, sought to push the boundaries of perception, emotion, and form. Over a prolific career that spanned painting, printmaking, stained glass, ceramics, and stage design, Chagall brought an unparalleled poetic sensibility to modern art, infusing even the most abstract subjects with human warmth and spiritual depth. His works are held in the most prestigious museums around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Centre Pompidou, the Tate, and the Guggenheim, where they continue to inspire generations of artists and collectors. The highest price ever paid for a Marc Chagall artwork is approximately $28.5 million USD, achieved in 2017 at Sotheby’s New York for Les Amoureux (1928). Marc Chagall Couple...

This exquisite lithograph by Marc Chagall (1887–1985), titled L’Arbre de Jesse (The Tree of Jesse), originates from the 1960 folio Derriere le Miroir, No. 119, Poetes, peintres, sculpteurs (Poets, Painters, Sculptors), published by Maeght Editeur, Paris, under the direction of Aime Maeght, and printed by Mourlot Freres, Paris. This lyrical composition exemplifies Chagall’s visionary fusion of faith, memory, and color, uniting biblical symbolism with the artist’s poetic sensibility. In L’Arbre de Jesse, Chagall reimagines a sacred theme as a vibrant allegory of spiritual lineage, evoking the mystical harmony between heaven and earth that defines his most celebrated works. Executed on velin paper, this lithograph measures 15 x 11 inches (38.1 x 27.9 cm), as issued. Unsigned and unnumbered, as issued. The edition reflects the exceptional quality and craftsmanship of the Maeght and Mourlot collaborations, which brought Chagall’s radiant imagery to print with unparalleled fidelity. Artwork Details: Artist: Marc Chagall (1887–1985) Title: L’Arbre de Jesse (The Tree of Jesse), from Derriere le Miroir, No. 119, Poetes, peintres, sculpteurs (Poets, Painters, Sculptors), 1960 Medium: Lithograph on velin paper Dimensions: 15 x 11 inches (38.1 x 27.9 cm), as issued Inscription: Unsigned and unnumbered, as issued Date: 1960 Publisher: Maeght Editeur, Paris Printer: Mourlot Freres, Paris Catalogue raisonne references: Mourlot, Fernand, and Marc Chagall. “Chagall Lithographe, Volume II, 1957–1962.” Chagall Lithographe, Sauret, 1963, illustration 297. Cramer, Patrick, and Meret Meyer. Marc Chagall: Catalogue Raisonné Des Livres Illustrés. P. Cramer ed., 1995, illustration 40 Condition: Well preserved, consistent with age and medium Provenance: From the 1960 folio Derriere le Miroir, No. 119, Poetes, peintres, sculpteurs (Poets, Painters, Sculptors), published by Maeght Editeur, Paris About the Publication: Derriere le Miroir (translated as "Behind the Mirror") was an iconic French art periodical published from 1946 to 1982 by Maeght Editeur, one of the most influential art publishers of the 20th century. Founded by Aime Maeght in Paris, the publication was conceived as a visual and literary collaboration between leading modern artists, poets, and critics. Each issue functioned as both an exhibition catalogue and a work of art in itself—featuring original lithographs printed directly from the artists' stones or plates, alongside essays, poems, and critical commentary. Over the course of 36 years, Derriere le Miroir produced more than 250 issues and showcased an extraordinary roster of artists including Henri Matisse, Marc Chagall, Joan Miro, Georges Braque, Alexander Calder, Fernand Leger, Pierre Bonnard, Alberto Giacometti, Eduardo Chillida, Ellsworth Kelly, Francis Bacon, Paul Rebeyrolle, Claude Garache, Antoni Tapies, Bram van Velde, Pierre Alechinsky, Pol Bury, Shusaku Arakawa, and Gerard Titus-Carmel. Printed in the ateliers of Mourlot, Arte, and Imprimerie Moderne du Lion, the periodical set new standards for quality in color lithography, combining fine art printing with elegant typography and poetic text. Beyond its visual brilliance, Derriere le Miroir also became a cultural chronicle of postwar European modernism. Each issue coincided with exhibitions held at Galerie Maeght, providing a collectible and widely accessible record of groundbreaking shows. Its integration of image, text, and philosophy created a dialogue between art and literature that elevated the modern art book to new aesthetic heights. Today, Derriere le Miroir remains one of the most sought-after and historically significant art publications, prized by collectors and scholars alike for its craftsmanship, influence, and its role in defining the visual language of 20th-century modernism. The Maeght Foundation in Saint-Paul-de-Vence continues to honor this legacy through exhibitions and archival preservation of the series, affirming Derriere le Miroir's enduring place in the history of modern art and fine art publishing. About the Artist: Marc Chagall (1887–1985) was a Belarus-born French painter, printmaker, and designer whose visionary use of color and poetic symbolism made him one of the most beloved and influential artists of the 20th century. Rooted in the rich imagery of his Jewish heritage and childhood in Vitebsk, Chagall’s dreamlike compositions fused memory, folklore, faith, and romance with the expressive innovations of modern art. His work evolved alongside and in dialogue with the great modern masters—Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Alexander Calder, Salvador Dali, Joan Miro, Georges Braque, Wassily Kandinsky, Marcel Duchamp, and Man Ray—artists who, like Chagall, redefined artistic language for a new century. Spanning painting, printmaking, stained glass, ceramics, stage design, and illustration, Chagall’s career reflected both his deep spirituality and his boundless imagination. His works are held in major museum collections worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim, the Tate, and the Centre Pompidou. The highest price ever paid for a Marc Chagall artwork is approximately $28.5 million USD, achieved in 2017 at Sotheby’s New York for Les Amoureux (1928). Marc Chagall L’Arbre de Jesse, Chagall Derriere le Miroir, Chagall Maeght...

Paper Size: 12 x 9.5 inches ( 30.48 x 24.13 cm ) Image Size: 12 x 9.5 inches ( 30.48 x 24.13 cm ) Framed: No Condition: A-: Near Mint, very light signs of handling Additional D...

Héliogravure on brown-toned paper, so signature. On bot sheets, recto and verso. Edition of 6500 unsigned copies. Printed by Mourlot and published by Tériade, Paris. Ref. Mourlot,...