Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 8

Marc Chagall
The Woman and the Street

1927-1930

About the Item

The Woman and the Street Etching, 1927-1930 Signed in the plate lower right corner (see photo) From: The Fables of La Fontaine, Plate 84 From the deluxe portfolio edition of 40 examples, printed on japan nacré paper Printed by Maurice Potin, 1927-1930 Published by Tériade, éditeur, Paris, 1952 Reference: Johnson 174 Condition: Tape stain top center recto from pervious hinging. Image/Plate size: 11 3/4 x 9 1/2 inches Sheet size: 15 1/8 x 11 1/8 inches The Women and the Secret There's nothing like a secret weighs; Too heavy 'tis for women tender; And, for this matter, in my days, I've seen some men of female gender. To prove his wife, a husband cried, (The night he knew the truth would hide,) 'O Heavens! What's this? O dear − I beg − I'm torn − O! O! I've laid an egg!' 'An egg?' 'Why, yes, it's gospel-true. Look here − see − feel it, fresh and new; But, wife, don't mention it, lest men Should laugh at me, and call me hen: Indeed, don't say a word about it.' On this, as other matters, green and young, The wife, all wonder, did not doubt it, And pledged herself by Heaven to hold her tongue. Her oath, however, fled the light As quick as did the shades of night. Before Dan Phoebus waked to labour The dame was off to see a neighbour. 'My friend,' she said, half-whispering. 'There's come to pass the strangest thing. If you should tell, 'twould turn me out of door: My husband's laid an egg as big as four! As you would taste of heaven's bliss, Don't tell a living soul of this.' 'I tell! why if you knew a thing about me, You wouldn't for an instant doubt me; Your confidence I'll ne'er abuse.' The layer's wife went home relieved; The other broil'd to tell the news; You need not ask if she believed. A dame more busy could not be; In twenty places, ere her tea, Instead of one egg, she said three! Nor was the story finish'd here: A gossip, still more keen than she, Said four, and spoke it in the ear, A caution truly little worth, Applied to all the ears on earth. Of eggs, the number, thanks to Fame, As on from mouth to mouth she sped, Had grown a hundred, soothly said, Ere Sol had quench'd his golden flame! Courtesy: Goldmark
  • Creator:
    Marc Chagall (1887 - 1985, French)
  • Creation Year:
    1927-1930
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 11.75 in (29.85 cm)Width: 9.5 in (24.13 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    Tape stain top center recto from pervious hinging.
  • Gallery Location:
    Fairlawn, OH
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: FA88451stDibs: LU14010823832
More From This SellerView All
  • Le Matin (Morning)
    By James Jacques Joseph Tissot
    Located in Fairlawn, OH
    Le Matin (Morning) Mezzotint, 1886 Signed and dated in the plate (see photos) Edition: at least 650 impressions in both states Reference: Wentworth 82 ii/II P...
    Category

    1880s French School Interior Prints

    Materials

    Mezzotint

  • La Negresse (The Negress)
    By Louis Legrand
    Located in Fairlawn, OH
    La Negresse (The Negress) Etching & drypoint, 1909 Unsigned (as issued in the portfolio) From the album "Les Bars" (8 plates plus cover illustration) Editi...
    Category

    Early 1900s Art Nouveau Interior Prints

    Materials

    Etching

  • Actresses in Their Dressing Rooms
    By Edgar Degas
    Located in Fairlawn, OH
    Actresses in Their Dressing Rooms etching & aquatint, 1879-1880 Unsigned as usual for all canceled plate impressions Reference: Delteil 28, Shapiro 50 vi/vi with the cancelation line...
    Category

    1870s Impressionist Interior Prints

    Materials

    Aquatint

  • The Art of Conversation (Three characters on...)
    By Marcel Gromaire
    Located in Fairlawn, OH
    The Art of Conversation (Three characters on...) Etching, 1958 Signed in pencil lower right: “Gromaire” (see photo) Edition: 110 (18/110) see photo Printed on RIVES paper Publisher: ...
    Category

    1950s Cubist Interior Prints

    Materials

    Etching

  • The So-Called Tempio della Tosse, Near Tivoli. Interior Upright
    By Giovanni Battista Piranesi
    Located in Fairlawn, OH
    The So-Called Tempio della Tosse, Near Tivoli. Interior Upright (Veduta interna del Tempio della Tosse) "Temple of the Cough" Etching, 1764 Signed in the plate From: Vedute di Roma...
    Category

    1760s Old Masters Interior Prints

    Materials

    Etching

  • St. Peter's Interior with the Nave
    By Giovanni Battista Piranesi
    Located in Fairlawn, OH
    St. Peter's Interior with the Nave Veduta interna della Basilica di S. Pietro in Vaticano Etching, 1748 Signed in the plate From: Vedute di Roma, Plate 5 An early Roman...
    Category

    1740s Old Masters Interior Prints

    Materials

    Etching

You May Also Like

Recently Viewed

View All