Marc Chagall’s Daphnis et Chloé au Bord de la Fontaine (Daphnis and Chloe at the Edge of the Fountain), 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 Daphnis et Chloé au Bord de la Fontaine (Daphnis and Chloe at the Edge of the Fountain), from Daphnis et Chloé, 1961 captures a moment of intimacy that sparks the beginning of romance for the two protagonists in Longus’ Daphnis et Chloé. The white body of Daphnis seems to glow against the yellowy green background as if to evoke the newfound beauty Chloe sees in her youthful companion. Chloe is rendered in a rich crimson that contrasts the pallor of Daphnis’ white figure, creating a visual intensity that channels the growing emotions of the two soon-to-be lovers. Marc Chagall’s Daphnis et Chloé au Bord de la Fontaine (Daphnis and Chloe at the Edge of the Fountain), from Daphnis et Chloé, 1961 exemplifies Chagall’s intuitive use of color as a way to convey emotion and drama.

Created in 1961, Marc Chagall’s Daphnis et Chloé au Bord de la Fontaine (Daphnis and Chloe at the Edge of the Fountain), 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 Daphnis et Chloé au Bord de la Fontaine (Daphnis and Chloe at the Edge of the Fountain), 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. 313.
2. Mourlot, Fernand. The Lithographs of Chagall, vol. II 1957-1962. Monté Carlo, 1960. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 313.
3. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.

About the Framing:

Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, Marc Chagall’s Daphnis et Chloé au Bord de la Fontaine (Daphnis and Chloe at the Edge of the Fountain), from Daphnis et Chloé, 1961 is presented in a complementary moulding and finished with silk-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.