What inspired Marc Chagall?

This exquisite lithograph by Marc Chagall (1887–1985), titled Le lion de Juda et les Tables de la Loi (The Lion of Judah and the Tablets of the Law), from the album Marc Chagall, The...

This exquisite etching by Marc Chagall (1887–1985), titled Les cartes a jouer (Playing Cards), originates from the celebrated folio Nicolas Gogol, Les Ames mortes, Eaux-fortes originales de Marc Chagall (Nicolas Gogol, Dead Souls, Original Etchings by Marc Chagall), published by Teriade Editeur, Paris, 1948, and printed by Fort, Impressions artistiques, Paris, under the direction of Louis Fort, 1923–1927. The composition captures Chagall’s deeply humane and satirical interpretation of Gogol’s world, blending tenderness, irony, and psychological insight within a dreamlike narrative space. Executed as an etching on velin d arches filigrane paper, this work measures 10.827 x 17.764 inches (27.5 x 45.12 cm). Unsigned and unnumbered as issued. Printed by Fort, Impressions artistiques, Paris, under the direction of Louis Fort. Artwork Details: Artist: Marc Chagall (1887–1985) Title: Les cartes a jouer (Playing Cards), from Nicolas Gogol, Les Ames mortes, Eaux-fortes originales de Marc Chagall (Nicolas Gogol, Dead Souls, Original Etchings by Marc Chagall), 1948 Medium: Etching on velin d arches filigrane paper Dimensions: 10.827 x 17.764 inches (27.5 x 45.12 cm) Inscription: Unsigned and unnumbered as issued Date: 1948, published; 1923–1927, printed Publisher: Teriade Editeur, Paris Printer: Fort, Impressions artistiques, Paris, under the direction of Louis Fort Catalogue raisonne reference: Cramer, Patrick, and Meret Meyer. Marc Chagall: Catalogue Raisonne Des Livres Illustres. P. Cramer ed., 1995, illustration 17 Condition: Well preserved, consistent with age and medium Provenance: From Nicolas Gogol, Les Ames mortes, Eaux-fortes originales de Marc Chagall (Nicolas Gogol, Dead Souls, Original Etchings by Marc Chagall), published by Teriade Editeur, Paris, 1948 Notes: Excerpted from the folio (translated from French), It was taken from this album, on velin d arches filigrane "Les Ames mortes", L examples, numbered from there, including a complimentary suite on japon nacre; CCLXXXV examples, numbered from LI to CCCXXXV and XXXIII non-market examples, numbered from I to XXXIII reserved for employees. All colophons are signed by the artist. About the Publication: Nicolas Gogol, Les Ames mortes, Eaux-fortes originales de Marc Chagall (Nicolas Gogol, Dead Souls, Original Etchings by Marc Chagall) stands among the most important illustrated literary works of the twentieth century. Conceived over several decades and rooted in Chagall’s deep emotional connection to Gogol’s satirical vision of Russian society, the album unites text and image in a profoundly imaginative synthesis. Published by Teriade in 1948 and printed by Fort, Impressions artistiques, Paris, under the direction of Louis Fort, the album embodies the high standards of Parisian printmaking and continues to be regarded as one of the great illustrated works of the twentieth century, admired for its fusion of literature, etching, and the distinctively dreamlike vision of Marc Chagall. 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 twentieth 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. Over a prolific career spanning painting, printmaking, stained glass, ceramics, and stage design, Chagall brought an unparalleled poetic sensibility to modern art. His works are held in major museums worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Centre Pompidou, the Tate, and the Guggenheim. The highest price ever paid for a Marc Chagall artwork is approximately 28.5 million USD, achieved in 2017 at Sothebys New York for Les Amoureux (1928). Marc Chagall etching...

This exquisite etching by Marc Chagall (1887–1985), titled Nozdriov (Nozdriov), originates from the celebrated folio Nicolas Gogol, Les Ames mortes, Eaux-fortes originales de Marc Ch...

Marc Chagall (1887-1985) - Le Verger (The Orchard) from Daphnis and Chloë. Lithograph from 1961. The edition of 34/60 on Arches paper with wide margins. Dimensions of work: 53.7 x...

This exquisite lithograph by Marc Chagall (1887–1985), titled Soleil sur la ville (Sun Over the City), from the album Chagall Monumental Works, Special Issue of the XXe Siecle Review...

Artist: Marc Chagall Title: The Ballet Medium: Lithograph Year: 1969 Edition: Unnumbered Framed Size: 22" x 18 1/2" Sheet Size: 14" x 10" Signature: Unsigned Reference: Cramer 78, Mo...