Marc Chagall Le jeunes Gens de Méthynmne (The Young Methymneans), 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 Le jeunes Gens de Méthynmne (The Young Methymneans), from Daphnis et Chloé, 1961 depicts the Methymneans chasing after Daphnis when they discover that the rope tying their boat to shore was chewed off by goats from the neighboring fields. Daphnis is rendered with arms outstretched on either side and legs bent in motion as if to flee from the figure he glances on his right. This figure to the right coupled with the two figures towards the upper left of the image visually frame Daphnis as the focal point of the composition. The spotless cerulean water in the background compliments the fiery orange patch that marks Daphnis’ hair but also alludes to the lost boat of the Methymneans. Marc Chagall’s Le jeunes Gens de Méthynmne (The Young Methymneans), from Daphnis et Chloé, 1961 also pays homage to the beautiful coasts of Greece through the suggestion of buildings in the upper left corner and the rolling hills along the horizon. By weaving narrative significance with visual harmony, Chagall creates another masterful illustration from the Daphnis et Chloé series.

Created in 1961, Marc Chagall Le jeunes Gens de Méthynmne (The Young Methymneans), 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 Le jeunes Gens de Méthynmne (The Young Methymneans), 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. 324.
2. Mourlot, Fernand. The Lithographs of Chagall, vol. II 1957-1962. Monté Carlo, 1960. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 324.
3. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.

About the Framing:

Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, Marc Chagall Le jeunes Gens de Méthynmne (The Young Methymneans), from Daphnis et Chloé, 1961 is presented in a complementary moulding and finished with silk-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.