Marc CHAGALL (Russia 1887-France 1985) - Lot 273

Marc CHAGALL (Russia 1887-France 1985) Joshua armed by the Eternal, 1955 Etching Very rare second state of this engraving Print limited probably to 5 or 10 copies on Vellum paper Dimensions: 44 x 33 cm Signed in the plate. Information: Plate of the Bible ensemble (1955/56). It is here a preparatory state (the second out of three) of the engraving that distinguishes itself from the definite state by more lightness in the treatment of the angel and especially through the "notes" - these little studies engraved by Chagall - in the lower margin that enhance the engraving. These notes do not appear in the definite state of the engraving, the copper having been reduced. References: Sorlier 242 (Very good condition - very rare!) Marc Chagall: (1887-1985) born Moïche Zakharovitch Chagalov, is a painter who was born on July the 7th in Liozna, in Bielorussia (then included in the Russian Empire), and naturalised french in 1937. He died on March 28th, 1985 in Saint-Paul de Vence. Chagall is one of the most famous foreign artists who settle in France in the XXth century, along with Pablo Picasso or Joan Miro. Even if his work is not associated to any movement or school, it bears characteristics of Surrealism and neo-primitivism. He also drew his inspiration from jewish tradition, the daily life of the shtetl (jewish village in Eastern Europe) and russian folklore, from which he elaborated his own symbolic. Chagall work with different medium, such as oil on canvas, sculpture, poetry, glass painting, enamels etc. Additionally to the worldwide presence of his works in the biggest collections, one museum is dedicated to him in Nice, and another one in Vitebsk.