Marc Chagall’s La Mort de Dorcon (Dorcon’s Death), 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 Mort de Dorcon (Dorcon’s Death), from Daphnis et Chloé, 1961 depicts the part of Longus’ tale where pirates come and wreak havoc on the quiet pastoral setting of Daphnis and Chloe’s life. Dorcon represents an alternate suitor for Chloe, so his death marks a pivotal plot point in the tale by resolving the romantic competition with Daphnis. The use of red is particularly powerful in Marc Chagall’s La Mort de Dorcon (Dorcon’s Death), from Daphnis et Chloé, 1961 as it ties together Dorcon’s demise with the setting sun. The horizon line swells with a thick band of fuchsia and ruby red, ending in a round crimson sun to the far left that overshadows a splattering of blood in the middle ground of the composition. In contrast to the fiery red is the overwhelming cerulean of the sky and landscape, which creates a surreal reimagining of the setting in this story. Marc Chagall’s La Mort de Dorcon (Dorcon’s Death), from Daphnis et Chloé, 1961 attests to the masterful way in which Chagall tells a story through his vibrant colors and dreamlike composition.

Created in 1961, Marc Chagall’s La Mort de Dorcon (Dorcon’s Death), 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 Mort de Dorcon (Dorcon’s Death), 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. 320.
2. Mourlot, Fernand. The Lithographs of Chagall, vol. II 1957-1962. Monté Carlo, 1960. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 320.
3. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.

About the Framing:

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