Marc Chagall

Grenade (Cramer 51; Kornfeld 121), Paroles peintes I, Marc Chagall

1962

This exquisite lithograph by Marc Chagall (1887–1985), titled Sara et Abimelech (Sarah and Abimelech), from Marc Chagall, Dessins Pour La Bible (Drawings for the Bible), Verve: Revue...

This exquisite lithograph by Marc Chagall (1887–1985), titled Saint-Germain des Pres (Saint-Germain of the Fields), from the folio Derriere le miroir, No. 67–68, originates from the 1954 edition published by Maeght Editeur, Paris, and printed by Mourlot Freres, Paris, 1954. Saint-Germain des Pres reflects Chagall’s poetic vision of Paris, capturing the neighborhood’s spiritual and cultural essence through his unique blend of memory, color, and imagination. The work embodies Chagall’s ability to transform the familiar into the transcendent, merging architectural harmony with human emotion and dreamlike symbolism. Executed as a lithograph on velin paper, this work measures 15 x 11 inches. Unsigned and unnumbered as issued. The edition exemplifies the superb craftsmanship of Mourlot Freres, Paris. Artwork Details: Artist: Marc Chagall (1887–1985) Title: Saint-Germain des Pres (Saint-Germain of the Fields), from the folio Derriere le miroir, No. 67–68 Medium: Lithograph on velin paper Dimensions: 15 x 11 inches (38.1 x 27.94 cm) Inscription: Unsigned and unnumbered as issued Date: 1954 Publisher: Maeght Editeur, Paris Printer: Mourlot Freres, Paris Catalogue raisonne reference: Cramer, Patrick, and Meret Meyer. Marc Chagall: Catalogue Raisonne des Livres Illustres. Patrick Cramer Editeur, 1995, illustration 24; Mourlot, Fernand, and Marc Chagall. Chagall Lithographe I: 1922–1957. Andre Sauret, 1960, illustration 100. Condition: Well preserved, consistent with age and medium Provenance: From the folio Derriere le miroir, No. 67–68, published by Maeght Editeur, Paris; printed by Mourlot Freres, Paris, 1954 Notes: On the occasion of the ‘Paris’ exhibition, Marc Chagall created for this triple issue of Derriere Le Miroir XII pages of Lithography. About the Publication: Derriere le miroir (Behind the Mirror) was one of the most important art publications of the 20th century, created and published by Maeght Editeur in Paris from 1946 to 1982. Founded by the visionary art dealer and publisher Aime Maeght, the series served as both an exhibition catalogue and a work of art in its own right, uniting original lithographs by leading modern and contemporary artists with critical essays, poetry, and design of the highest quality. Printed by master lithographers such as Mourlot Freres and Arte, Derriere le miroir became synonymous with the artistic vanguard of postwar Europe. Each issue was devoted to a single artist or theme and published to accompany exhibitions at the Galerie Maeght in Paris, featuring works by Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Georges Braque, Joan Miro, Marc Chagall, Alexander Calder, Fernand Leger, and Alberto Giacometti, among others. The publication reflected Maeght’s belief that art should be both accessible and elevated—an ideal realized through its luxurious production values, meticulous printing, and collaboration with the greatest creative minds of its time. 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 Saint-Germain des Pres 1954, Chagall Saint-Germain of the Fields, Chagall Derriere le miroir No. 67–68, Chagall Mourlot lithograph, Chagall Maeght...

This lithograph is hand signed in pencil by the artist "Marc Chagall" at the lower right corner. It is also hand numbered in pencil 47 from the edition of 200, at the lower left mar...

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,...