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US$140,000 - US$180,000
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Matthew Stavro
Associate Specialist

Deborah Ripley
Director
Marc Chagall (1887-1985)
The complete portfolio, comprising 38 lithographs (23 in colors and 15 in black), on Arches paper, in- and hors-texte, with title page, text in French, signed in pencil on the justification, copy number 42 of 250, published by Tériade Editeur, Paris, the full sheets, loose (as issued), the colors very fresh, within the original paper wrapper and the beige cloth-covered boards with title stamped in gilt on spine and matching slipcase. (38 works)
overall 17 3/4 x 13 5/8in (45 x 34.5cm)
Footnotes
In 1962, Chagall began working on a series of lithographs that came to be known as Le Cirque. The artist was fascinated with color lithography as it allowed unlimited painterly freedom. He drew directly on the lithography stone, and the resultant prints reflected the spontaneity of his brushstrokes and draw lines. The accompanying texts were also written by Chagall and complimented the pictures confirming an artist's book which was finally published in 1967.
Chagall's lithographs of Le Cirque can be regarded as his greatest achievement as a printmaker, with their vibrant colors and fantasies on the circus theme where characters are mixed with the Chagallian standard symbols of goat, cock, pair of lovers ascending in the sky, donkeys and horses forming the dreamlike compositions for which he is famous.