Marc Chagall’s La Leçon de Philétas (Philetas’s Lesson), 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 La Leçon de Philétas (Philetas’s Lesson), from Daphnis et Chloé, 1961 depicts the moment when Daphnis and Chloe lie down in each other’s embrace for the first time. An old man named Philetas appears before Daphnis and Chloe one day and tells them that Love watches over them, for which there is no remedy except kissing, embracing, and lying naked side by side. The two adolescents do not seriously consider the old man’s words until they end up lying on their sides while kissing one day and spend the whole day lying in each other’s arms. The pale orb in the upper left corner and the turquoise and cerulean landscape suggest the approaching nightfall that will force the two lovers apart. Daphnis and Chloe are encircled in saturated blue tones that contrast their intertwined pink bodies. Marc Chagall’s La Leçon de Philétas (Philetas’s Lesson), from Daphnis et Chloé, 1961 captures the innocent intimacy between the two protagonists and evokes the romance of the Greek landscape itself.

Created in 1961, Marc Chagall’s La Leçon de Philétas (Philetas’s Lesson), 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 La Leçon de Philétas (Philetas’s Lesson), 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. 323.
2. Mourlot, Fernand. The Lithographs of Chagall, vol. II 1957-1962. Monté Carlo, 1960. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 323.
3. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.

About the Framing:

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