Marc Chagall (1887-1985)
Le Berger et son troupeau, from Les Fables de la Fontaine
Published 1952
Etching on BFK Rives paper
Signed in the plate lower left
12 x 10.5 in / 39,5 x 26,7 cm
Framed: 21 x 17 in / 53,3 x 43,2 cm

Provenance:
Private Collection
By descent to current owner

Chagall’s “Les Fables de la Fontaine” series, is amongst the artist’s most acclaimed printmaking work. Following the loss of much of his early work in Berlin, Chagall turned to illustrations in the wake of a partnership with French art dealer and publisher Ambroise Vollard upon his return to Paris in 1923. Vollard commissioned Chagall to design book illustrations for a deluxe edition of Jean de la Fontaine's "Fables" in 1926. Vollard's decision to use a Russian-born artist to illustrate a revered French text drew some criticism, but Vollard defended his choice by saying the fables were part of Asia Minor's oral tradition, not France's, and would benefit from being drawn by an artist from the East. Between 1927 and 1930, Chagall produced 100 etched plates to illustrate the fables, but the project was delayed by Vollard's untimely death in 1939 and the outbreak of World War II. It was finally completed in 1952 under the Parisian publisher Tériade.

The Fables was issued in an edition of 200 portfolios, 40 of which also contained a suite of the etchings on japon and 85 of which contained a suite with hand-coloring by Chagall. In addition, there were 15 portfolios hors commerce. There were also 100 sets of the etchings signed and numbered.

Condition/Comments: Evidence of foxing in margins

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