Marc Chagall’s Songe de Lamon et de Dryas (Dream of Lamon and Dryas), 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 Songe de Lamon et de Dryas (Dream of Lamon and Dryas), 1961 visualizes the emotional turmoil of a parent coming to terms with the inevitable loss of childhood innocence. Lamon and Dryas are the adoptive parents of Daphnis and Chloe, respectively, and both dream of the innocence of their child but realize that Pan and Eros will disrupt this innocence by introducing feelings of love and desire. The green figure holding a lyre and lunging over the blue orb represents the god Pan, while the deep blue figure within the orb shooting an arrow embodies the god Eros. The fiery red background and the deeply saturated blue orb create a visually striking contrast that evokes the helpless tension of the dreamers Lamon and Dryas. Rich colors not only distinguish the figures from each other in the composition but embolden them with visual energy and vigor. Marc Chagall’s Songe de Lamon et de Dryas (Dream of Lamon and Dryas), 1961 exemplifies the artist’s ability to use color as a means of communicating emotion.

Created in 1961, Marc Chagall’s Songe de Lamon et de Dryas (Dream of Lamon and Dryas), 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 Songe de Lamon et de Dryas (Dream of Lamon and Dryas), 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. 311.
2. Mourlot, Fernand. The Lithographs of Chagall, vol. II 1957-1962. Monté Carlo, 1960. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 311.
3. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.

About the Framing:

Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, Marc Chagall’s Songe de Lamon et de Dryas (Dream of Lamon and Dryas), 1961 is presented in a complementary moulding and finished with silk-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.