This bold and colorful scene tells the tale of a two beggars fighting for prime territory. Irus becomes enraged when Ulysses, a new beggar in Ithaca, takes guard at his usual post. Irus challenges Ulysses to a due, and Ulysses reigns triumphant. Chagall here depicts Ulysses in his moment of victory, arms raised as he stomps upon his rival. Chagall recreates this image perfectly as he captures the essence and spirit of the characters with his use of warm yellows, oranges, and greens that emanate a sense of joy, as if we are to celebrate in Ulysses triumph alongside of him. The passionate and animated qualities of the characters attribute a lively quality that accurately represents the mythical tales of Homer's Odyssey. Ulysses appears powerful and calm and Irus looks away and throws out his arms in a gesture of repentance over his foolish actions.

This work was created on June 20, 1975 as part of a series of illustrations done by Chagall for the second volume of Homer's The Odyssey. In addition to the book illustrations, there were 30 numbered and signed proofs printed by Mourlot of all the color plates featured in the volume. This piece is numbered 25/30 in pencil in the lower left margin and hand signed by Marc Chagall (Vitebsk, 1887 - Saint-Paul, 1985) in pencil in the lower right margin. This piece was published by Mourlot, Paris.

DOCUMENTED AND ILLUSTRATED IN:
1. Cramer, Patrick. Marc Chagall: The Illustrated Books: Catalogue Raisonne, Geneva, 1995. Listed as catalogue no. 96 on pg. 276; illustrated on pg. 283.
2. Gauss, Ulrike ed. Marc Chagall - The Lithographs, Franfurt, 1960. Listed and illustrated as catalogue no. 810 on pg. 336.
3. Sorlier, Charles. Chagall Lithographs, Vol. V 1974-1979, Crown Publishers, Inc: New York, 1984. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 810 on pg. 87.

ABOUT THE FRAMING:
Framed to archival museum grade conservation standards, this piece is framed in a complementary moulding with silk mats and optical grade Plexiglas.