Marc Chagall, The Tribe of Levi from The Twelve Maquettes of Stained Glass Windows for Jerusalem (1964)

Artist: Marc Chagall (1887 - 1985)
Title:The Tribe of Levi from The Twelve Maquettes of Stained Glass Windows for Jerusalem (1964)
Reference:CS 14
Medium:Original Color Lithograph
Image Size:24 in x 18 in (61 cm x 46 cm)
Sheet Size:29 1/8 in x 20 11/16 in (74 cm x 52.5 cm)
Framed Size:43 in x 36 in (109.2 cm x 91.4 cm)
Edition:An artist proof, numbered XXIII/C.
Signature:This work is hand signed by Marc Chagall (Vitebsk, 1887- Saint-Paul, 1985) in pencil in the lower right margin.
Condition:This work is in excellent condition with bright and fresh colors.
ID #w-4960

Historical Description

According to Jean Leymarie of The Jerusalem Windows:
“Around the Torah burn “like flamboyant jacinthes,” according to Chagall, the candles which generate a mystic light.  The two objects in the form of a candelabrum in front of the altar suggest, in addition, a possible allusion to the cup of the kiddush and the candlestick of the havdala. The four heraldic animals of the synagogue, embodying religious spirituality, whose bright colors emerge from the deep yellow background, frolic around a vase of offerings filled with flowers and fruits as well as around the star, emblem of David, the symbolic hexagram which has become the widespread symbol of Judaism today.  Its presence is anachronistic, but it is charged with an intense beauty.”

“Chagall has magnificently animated the yellow ground, so difficult to make lustrous, by a continuous vibration of little details painted with lightness and delicacy, like oriental embroidery, and numerous accents of light.  Notice the use of silvered yellow and, in a portion of the stage, the Persian rose-gold (17).”

Created in 1964, this image is one in a series of twelve lithographs. Commissioned by the Hadassah-Hebrew Medical Center, Chagall created these works as maquettes for a series of stained glass windows to be installed in the Center's synagogue outside of Jerusalem. The work was engraved by Charles Sorlier, who worked in close collaboration with the artist and is printed on watermarked Arches wove paper. This piece is an artist proof, numbered XXIII/C in pencil in the lower left margin; created aside from the edition of 150 proofs signed and numbered in Arabic numerals. This work is hand signed by Marc Chagall (Vitebsk, 1887- Saint-Paul, 1985) in pencil in the lower right margin and signed in the stone, 'CH. SORLIER. GRAV. LITH.' at the lower left of the image.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
This work is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoice accompanying the final sale of the work).

1. Leymarie, Jean. Marc Chagall: The Jerusalem Windows. New York: Park Lane, 1988. Listed and illustrated on pp. 53-64.

2. Sorlier, Charles. Chagall Lithographs, 1974-79. New York: Crown Publishers, Inc., 1984. Listed on p. 205 as catalogue no. CS 14.

4. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.

About the Framing:
This work is framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, presented in a complementary moulding and finished with silk-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.