In her book The Jerusalem Windows, Jean Leymarie states, "the harmony of the window rests on a dominant light green, tender and clam, which is the very expression of spring and of paradisial joy. The principal produce of Issachar, the vine, so often celebrated in the Bible as the principle of fertility and especially, as the mystic symbol of Israel itself…, circles in a continuous garland around the window. The lovingly painted trees and plants, in which birds perch, exalt the luxuriant vegetation. The robust ass, symbolizing the tribe, indolently savors the splendor of his country. The weight which he ought to bear as the tribute of a slave is sufficiently light for Chagall to represent it with humor by means of a tiny bird, outlined in black. One notices, in near transparency, a prosperous village (in this sections, notice the counterpoint of grisaille and leading) and flocks spread out over the countryside. At the center, two hands in blessing (in a nonritual gesture) inscribe, under a triangle of light where the text of the first verse of Jacob's blessing is written in Hebrew, the two most intense color accents of the composition: emerald and carmine" (Leymarie, 41).

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 numbered from the edition of 150 in the lower left (total edition of 150 proofs signed and numbered in Arabic numerals, 75 proofs signed and numbered in Roman numerals, and 10 artist's proofs). 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.

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. 89-100.

2. Sorlier, Charles. Chagall Lithographs, 1974-79. New York: Crown Publishers, Inc., 1984. Listed on p. 208 as catalogue no. CS 17.

3. Martin Lawrence Galleries. Marc Chagall. 1999. Listed as CS 17 on pg 60.

4. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.

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