Marc Chagall

"Le poisson bleu" original lithograph

1957

Medium: original lithograph. Catalogue reference: Mourlot 81. Printed in 1952 at the atelier Mourlot for the art revue Verve (Volume 7, Number 27-28) and published in Paris by Teriad...

Medium: original lithograph. Catalogue reference: Mourlot 153. Printed by Mourlot Frères in an edition of 2000 for the Dix Ans d'Edition issue of Derrière le Miroir in 1956, publishe...

This exquisite lithograph by Marc Chagall (1887–1985), titled Le Poisson Bleu (The Blue Fish), from the album Chagall, originates from the 1957 edition published by Maeght Editeur, Paris, and printed by Mourlot Freres, Paris, 1957. This enchanting composition exemplifies Chagall’s poetic imagination and his symbolic use of color to express emotion, spirituality, and dreamlike wonder. In Le Poisson Bleu, a radiant blue fish glides across a fantastical landscape, surrounded by floating figures and luminous forms that evoke the harmony between nature and the divine. The deep blue tones suggest both serenity and transcendence, capturing the mystical lyricism that defines Chagall’s vision. The work transforms the natural motif into a metaphor for freedom, renewal, and the boundless vitality of life. Executed as a lithograph on velin paper, this work measures 9.06 x 15.75 inches (23.01 x 40 cm), with centerfold as issued. Unsigned and unnumbered as issued. The edition exemplifies the superior craftsmanship of the Mourlot Freres atelier, celebrated for its collaborations with the foremost modern artists of the 20th century. Artwork Details: Artist: Marc Chagall (1887–1985) Title: Le Poisson Bleu (The Blue Fish), from Chagall, 1957 Medium: Lithograph on velin paper Dimensions: 9.06 x 15.75 inches (23.01 x 40 cm), with centerfold as issued Inscription: Unsigned and unnumbered as issued Date: 1957 Publisher: Maeght Editeur, Paris Printer: Mourlot Freres, Paris Catalogue raisonne references: Chagall, Marc, and Julien Cain. Chagall Lithographe. Andre Sauret, Editeur, 1960, illustration 198. Cramer, Patrick, and Meret Meyer. Marc Chagall: Catalogue Raisonne Des Livres Illustres. P. Cramer ed., 1995, illustration 34. Condition: Well preserved, consistent with age and medium Provenance: From the album Chagall, published by Maeght Editeur, Paris, 1957 Notes: Excerpted from the album (translated from French), This album was printed by Drager Freres in Montrouge on behalf of Maeght Editeur, 13, Rue de Teheran, Paris VIII. The original color lithographs were drawn by Mourlot Freres. The photographs of the works printed are of Y. Hervochon, M. Routhier, Draeger. Copyright 1957. About the Publication: The 1957 album Chagall, published by Maeght Editeur, Paris, and printed by Mourlot Freres, stands among the most celebrated achievements of mid-century art publishing. Each lithograph within the volume reflects Marc Chagall’s synthesis of visual poetry and spiritual resonance, revealing the painter’s unique ability to weave emotion and imagination into color. Through the technical excellence of the Mourlot atelier, Chagall’s luminous palette and ethereal forms were translated into lithography with remarkable fidelity. Conceived under the direction of Aime Maeght, the album highlights the enduring dialogue between artist, printer, and publisher—a creative partnership that elevated the printed image to a work of fine art and helped define the legacy of modernist bookmaking. 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 Le...

Micah speaks to the daughter  is an artwork realized by Marc Chagall, 1960s.  Jonas and the whale is an artwork realized by Marc Chagall, 1960s.  Lithograph on brown-toned paper, n...