Created in April of 1967, this work was originally a more cropped image created as the cover for Chagall’s exhibition of engravings at the Berggruen Gallery.  He then re-worked to piece into a larger, more whimsical scene (shown here) with wide margins and a floral, delicate border.  Hand signed by Marc Chagall (1887 – 1985) in pencil in the lower right margin, the work is numbered 47/75 in pencil in the lower left margin and printed on Vélin d’Arches paper.

Incredibly playful and childlike, this work recalls Chagall’s usual fascination with the circus – a motif often used as the subject of his works.  Here, we see a grinning trapeze artist, suspended as if in motion, above the crowd beyond.  She is accompanied by tumbling acrobats that surround the border of all sides of the piece, with a cheval orange in the lower right, looking steadily above prepared to catch her and embrace her fall.  It is a very bright and colorful composition with complementary teals and oranges that anchor the scene, accented with spring greens and sun yellows.

It 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 final sale of the work).

1. Mourlot, F. & Sorlier, C. (1969). The Lithographs of Chagall, volume 1962 – 1968. André Sauret: Paris. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 477a on pg. 112.

2. La Collection Sorlier. Marc Chagall, The Lithographs. Gauss, U. (Ed.). Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 477a on pg. 209.

Framed with archival materials to museum quality, this work is set in a robust, gold-leaf frame with organic, sculptural details.  The brilliancy of the gold in the moulding enhances the bright hues in this work while the floral elements and detail compliment the subject matter of this piece.  Complete with white, linen-wrapped mattes and a matching gold inner fillet, Trapéziste à l’Oiseau is set behind an archival Plexiglas® cover.