A whimsical and eye-catching work, Marc Chagall Le village fantastique (The Fantastic Village), 1968-1971 certainly has miraculous elements. From the perceived lack of gravity, to the rosey colored atmosphere and half-human, half-animal figures, Chagall engages in childhood delights. First to catch our eye is the remarkably colorful half-man half-bird who stands upright with beak raised to the sky. A single eye twinkles out of the side of its head. Directly to the left of this figure is a rooster walking sideways down the composition, as if freed from its earthly weight. In another vignette, a man stands on the stomach of a large rooster holding something circular in his hands. Chagall is known in his work for delving deep into the world of folklore and mystical happenings. On the outskirts of the action, more lifelike figures appear: a mother carrying her child, a horse, a small village in the corner. Given Chagall’s love of circuses and performances, we then wonder whether we are seeing a fantastic reality, or a theatrical one.

Created between 1968 and 1971, this oil on canvas is hand signed by Marc Chagall (Vitebsk, 1887- Saint-Paul, 1985) in the lower right.

Provenance:

Estate of the Artist, Saint-Paul de Vence, France

Private Collection, Connecticut, USA

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:

Marc Chagall The Fantastic Village (Le village fantastique), 1968-1971 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. Faerna, Joeé María. Chagall, Great Modern Masters. New York: 1995. Illustrated as plate 15 on page 22.

2. De Maniargues, André Pieryre. Chagall. Paris: 1975. Illustrated as plate 150 on page 194.

3. Le Targat, François. Chagall. New York: 1985. Illustrated as plate 127.

4. A photo certificate of authenticity from Comité Marc Chagall will accompany this artwork.

5. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.

About the Framing:

Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, Marc Chagall The Fantastic Village (Le village fantastique), 1968-1971 is presented in a complementary moulding and finished with silk-wrapped mats.