Marc Chagall’s Printemps au Pré (Spring in the Meadow), 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 Printemps au Pré (Spring in the Meadow), from Daphnis et Chloé, 1961 renders the fiery passion of two adolescents falling in love through a dreamlike landscape typical of Chagall’s oeuvre. In the midst of overwhelming magenta, a pair of floating heads and plump female breasts fill the center of the sky. The heads represent the characters of Daphnis and Chloe from Longus’ Daphnis et Chloé, while the pair of breasts unequivocally allude to the romantic desire budding between these two youthful protagonists in the Greek tale. The solid green goat to the right of the composition not only visually contrasts the hot pink background but also acts as a symbol of the pastoral setting of the story. The overall work elaborates on the developing affection that Daphnis and Chloe feel for each other as their lives of become interwoven. Marc Chagall’s Printemps au Pré (Spring in the Meadow), from Daphnis et Chloé, 1961 radiates emotional fervor and romance through warm colors and a surrealist composition.

Created in 1961, Marc Chagall’s Printemps au Pré (Spring in the Meadow), 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 250 in the lower left margin.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:

Marc Chagall’s Printemps au Pré (Spring in the Meadow), 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. 314.
2. Mourlot, Fernand. The Lithographs of Chagall, vol. II 1957-1962. Monté Carlo, 1960. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 314.
3. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.

About the Framing:

Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, Marc Chagall’s Printemps au Pré (Spring in the Meadow), from Daphnis et Chloé, 1961 is presented in a complementary moulding and finished with silk-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.