Marc Chagall’s Le Verger (The Orchard), from Daphnis et Chloé, 1961 is one of the stunning lithographs within the illustrated Daphne and Chloe series that Fernand Mourlot considered to be one of "the most important graphic works that Marc Chagall has created thus far." Chagall dedicated three years to this project and undertook a series of lithographs that perhaps defined his career, making these pieces "a work of notable importance which, unquestionably, can be placed at the top of the list of illustrated works of our time" (Mourlot 131). Daphnis and Chloe, the two romantic heroes of Greek writer, Longus, are two childhood friends who undergo the trials and tribulations of growing up and, consequently, falling in love. Evoking the rich Mediterranean landscapes from which Chagall personally drew inspiration, this work is a masterpiece any Chagall enthusiast would admire.

Marc Chagall’s Le Verger (The Orchard), from Daphnis et Chloé, 1961 visualizes the beauty and bounty of the land Lamon tends in preparation for his master’s visit to the estate at the beginning of Book Four. Dabs of white, red, lavender and yellow evoke the impression of flowers in the lower left corner and middle foreground of the image. Towards the top of the composition, a large cerulean oval pinched narrow in its center represents a view of the sea from the grounds. The small blue figure on top of this blue form appears to be herding a group of yellow-flecked animals in the distance. The horizontal tree protruding from the right cleverly alludes to the abundance of fruit trees described in the story without impeding the open landscape. The overall landscape contains varying shades of green that give the impression of depth and texture. In this way, Marc Chagall’s Le Verger (The Orchard), from Daphnis et Chloé, 1961 illustrates the abundance of a Mediterranean landscape in Chagall’s renowned dreamlike compositions.

Created in 1961, Marc Chagall’s Le Verger (The Orchard), from Daphnis et Chloé, 1961 is a color lithograph on Arches paper. This work is hand-signed by Marc Chagall (Vitebsk, 1887 - Saint-Paul, 1985) in the lower right margin. Numbered from edition of 60 in the lower left margin.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:

Marc Chagall’s Le Verger (The Orchard), from Daphnis et Chloé, 1961 is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that will accompany the sale of the work).

1. Gauss, Ulrike. Marc Chagall: The Lithographs. The Sorlier collection. Edited by Ulrike Gauss et. al. New York: Distributed Art Publishers., Inc., 1999. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 341.
2. Mourlot, Fernand. The Lithographs of Chagall, vol. II 1957-1962. Monté Carlo, 1960. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 341.
3. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.

About the Framing:

Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, Marc Chagall’s Le Verger (The Orchard), from Daphnis et Chloé, 1961 is presented in a complementary moulding and finished with silk-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.