After the Trojan War, Ulysses is held captive on an island by the nymph Calypso, where upon receiving help from the Gods he fights his way back to his wife and son. This story, known as The Odyssey, inspired a series by Chagall in which he portrayed certain scenes of Ulysses tale.

In this particular scene Ulysses is being swallowed into the sea. Textured black outlines with green and blue coloring create a touching subtleness to the composition that lends itself to the story as you focus in on Ulysses face. A twisted expression of loss and pain, Ulysses is reaching for the sky as he drowns at Poseidon’s hand. Ulysses barely escapes with his life and washes ashore days later, half-drowned. A man of immense character and strength, Ulysses, is immortalized beautifully by Chagall in this work.

Created in 1975, this color lithograph is one of 43 color images from the 82 works that comprise The Odyssey Suite. Hand signed by Marc Chagall (Vitebsk, 1887 – Saint-Paul, 1985) in pencil in the lower right margin, this work is from the signed and numbered edition of 30 printed on Japon Nacré paper.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
Marc Chagall The Waves Swallow up Ulysses (Le Flots engloutissent Ulysses), 1975 is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices accompanying the final sale of the work).

1. Gauss, Ulrike. Marc Chagall, The Lithographs, La Collection Sorlier. Stuttgart: D.A.P., 1960. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 786.

2. Sorlier, Charles. The Lithographs of Chagall Volume V (1974-1979). Crown Publishers: New York, 1984. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 786.

3. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.

About the Framing:
Framed to archival museum grade conservation standards, Marc Chagall The Waves Swallow up Ulysses (Le Flots engloutissent Ulysses), 1975 is presented in a complementary moulding with silk-wrapped mats and optical-grade Plexiglas.