Marc Chagall’s Daphnis et Lycénion (Daphnis and Lycenion), 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 Lycénion (Daphnis and Lycenion), from Daphnis et Chloé, 1961 illustrates Daphnis’ encounter with the beautiful Lycenion, who has sex with Daphnis under the pretense of teaching him how to make love to Chloe. Prior to this moment, Daphnis referenced his goats as models for making love. The sunny yellow head of a goat peeping out from behind the hill and the bright orange hair of Lycenion visually correlate Daphnis’ two sexual models, the former being his old model and the latter representing the new. The figure of Daphnis kneels in a pleading gesture with arms outstretched towards the sensuously reclining figure of Lycenion. Copulating figures on the foreground and in the distant background anticipate the act to take place between Daphnis and Lycenion. Representing a pivotal moment in Longus’ narrative, Marc Chagall’s Daphnis et Lycénion (Daphnis and Lycenion), from Daphnis et Chloé, 1961 depicts the first time that Daphnis makes love and discovers the full extent of his sexuality.

Created in 1961, Marc Chagall’s Daphnis et Lycénion (Daphnis and Lycenion), 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 Lycénion (Daphnis and Lycenion), 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. 336.
2. Mourlot, Fernand. The Lithographs of Chagall, vol. II 1957-1962. Monté Carlo, 1960. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 336.
3. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.

About the Framing:

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