Marc Chagall’s La Chasse aux Oiseaux (The Bird Chase), from Daphnis et Chloé, 1961 is one of the stunning lithographs within the illustrated Daphne and Chloe series that Fernand Mourlot considered to be one of "the most important graphic works that Marc Chagall has created thus far." Chagall dedicated three years to this project and undertook a series of lithographs that perhaps defined his career, making these pieces "a work of notable importance which, unquestionably, can be placed at the top of the list of illustrated works of our time" (Mourlot 131). Daphnis and Chloe, the two romantic heroes of Greek writer, Longus, are childhood friends who undergo the trials and tribulations of growing up and, consequently, falling in love. Evoking the rich Mediterranean landscapes from which Chagall personally drew inspiration, this work is a masterpiece any Chagall enthusiast would admire.

Marc Chagall’s La Chasse aux Oiseaux (The Bird Chase), from Daphnis et Chloé, 1961 depicts a richly composed image filled with flourishing vegetation and swarms of birds. This image portrays the part of Longus’ Greek tale when Daphnis contrives to catch birds as an excuse to chance a meeting with Chloe. A sinewy tree sits slightly off-center with a dark lavender hue filling the space to its left and a whirl of aquamarine bursting from its right. Birds are delineated in black lines, some filled with white and others left as mere outlines. The abundance of bird silhouettes evokes a sense of depth and movement within the image, alluding to Daphnis’ restless anticipation as he awaits the presence of Chloe. Marc Chagall’s La Chasse aux Oiseaux (The Bird Chase), from Daphnis et Chloé, 1961 exemplifies Chagall’s masterful ability to capture nuanced emotions and visualize narratives.

Created in 1961, Marc Chagall’s La Chasse aux Oiseaux (The Bird Chase), from Daphnis et Chloé, 1961 is a color lithograph on Arches paper. This work is hand-signed by Marc Chagall (Vitebsk, 1887 - Saint-Paul, 1985) in the lower right margin. Numbered from edition of 60 in the lower left margin.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
Marc Chagall’s La Chasse aux Oiseaux (The Bird Chase), from Daphnis et Chloé, 1961 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. Gauss, Ulrike. Marc Chagall: The Lithographs. The Sorlier collection. Edited by Ulrike Gauss et. al. New York: Distributed Art Publishers., Inc., 1999. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 329.
2. Mourlot, Fernand. The Lithographs of Chagall, vol. II 1957-1962. Monté Carlo, 1960. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 329.
3. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.

About the Framing:
Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, Marc Chagall’s La Chasse aux Oiseaux (The Bird Chase), from Daphnis et Chloé, 1961 is presented in a complementary moulding and finished with silk-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.