Perfectly encapsulating the homely essence of Chagall's works, Le Verger de Philetas allows us to escape the mundane and enter the fantastical. Deeply saturated in a brilliant blue- green the work is filled with Chagall's iconic imagery. From Daphnis and Chloe embracing in the lower left to the angels floating around the canvas to the softly mottled flower bouquets, Chagall successfully conveys an overall feel of wisdom and grandeur in an orchard. Philetas, the man with the cane, is a wise old cowherd who explains to Daphnis and Chloe what love is. Guiding them to discover their past and embark on their future, this scene emotes hope and harmony, a testament to the masterful skills of Chagall.

Considered by Fernand Mourlot to be one of "the most important graphic works that Marc Chagall has created thus far," this piece is one of the stunning lithographs within the illustrated work of Daphnis & Chloe. Chagall dedicated 3 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.

Created in 1960, Le Verger de Philetas is one of 42 lithographs contained in the illustrated book, Daphnis and Chloe, printed by Tériade Éditeur, Paris. Hand-signed by Marc Chagall (Vitebsk, 1887 - Saint-Paul, 1985) in pencil in the lower right, the piece is printed on Arches wove paper and numbered from the edition of 60 in pencil in the lower left.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
Marc Chagall Philetas Orchard (Le Verger de Philetas), from Daphnis and Chloe, 1960 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 final sale of the work).

1. Cramer, Patrick. Marc Chagall, The Illustrated Books: Catalogue Raisonnè, Geneva, 1995. Listed as as cat. no. 46 on pg. 154, illustrated on pg 158.

2. Gauss, Ulrike, ed. Marc Chagall: The Lithographs, La Collection Sorlier, Stuttgart, 1960. Listed as catalogue raisonné no. 326 on pg.138, and illustrated on pg. 158.

3. Sorlier, C. (1984). Chagall Lithographs, Vol. II 1957-1962. Crown Publishers: NY. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no 326 on pgs. 146-147, with details on pg. 131.

4. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.

About the Framing:
Marc Chagall Philetas Orchard (Le Verger de Philetas), from Daphnis and Chloe, 1960  is framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, presented in a complementary moulding and finished with linen-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.