Marc Chagall Prise de Jérusalem, from La Bible (The Capture of Jerusalem, from the Bible), 1958 is an explosively figurative work that conveys the struggles and triumphs of humanity. It is a scene of passion, tragedy, and human vulnerability that perhaps Chagall knew very well. As someone that had lived through oppression and war, Chagall brings forth powerful and beautiful spiritual scenes in the Bible Series. Depicting a scene with dream-like imagery, Chagall creates a compelling narrative of the capture of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar II that deigns you to look away. Framing the top of the composition is an angel gliding through the air, above the crowd of people as he leads them away from conflict. Cinders and flames burn in the distance, the thick, dark ash trailing upwards into the sky, causing havoc and worry. They flee from Jerusalem in the wake of Nebuchadnezzar II’s siege to the surrounding Moab, Ammon, Edom, and other countries to seek refuge. Chagall depicts the great, overwhelming sadness as the city crumbles behind the Judeans, the city enduring horrible deprivation.

Long influenced by religion, in the spring of 1931, he traveled to the Holy Land in what became a life-changing experience, both spiritually and creatively. Creating Marc Chagall's The Bible series in 1931-1939 right after his trip and picking it up again twenty five years later in 1952-56, the first series based on his fascination comprised of two volumes and 105 etchings. His second series, which we will be discussing, is the series titled Drawings for the Bible which comprised of 24 color lithographs illustrating tales from the Bible that was published by Verve, Paris and printed by Mourlot, Paris from 1958-1960.

Created in 1958, Marc Chagall Prise de Jérusalem, from La Bible (The Capture of Jerusalem, from the Bible), 1958 is an etching with hand-coloring on Arches paper. Numbered from the edition of 100 in pencil in the lower left, this piece was hand signed by Marc Chagall (Vitebsk, 1887 - Saint-Paul, 1985) in pencil in the lower right.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:

Marc Chagall Prise de Jérusalem, from La Bible (The Capture of Jerusalem, from the Bible), 1958 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. Cramer, Patrick. Marc Chagall The Illustrated Books. Geneva: Patrick Cramer, 1995. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 30 on pgs. 110-111.
2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.

About the Framing:

Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, Marc Chagall Prise de Jérusalem, from La Bible, 1958 is presented in a complementary moulding and optical grade Plexiglas.