Marc Chagall (1887–1985)
Marc Chagall (1887–1985)
The Village Cellist—First State (BAT) 1967 Etching on paper, signed and annotated “bon à tirer” in the lower right corner
Image dimensions: 25 x 31.5 cm; 37 x 52 cm Bibliography: Cramer 13 This etching is exceptional because it is the “proof” (BAT), the reference copy approved by the artist himself to authorize the final printing of the edition. The composition showcases all the nostalgic poetry and Eastern European Jewish folklore so dear to Chagall. The musician—a central and recurring figure in his work, symbolizing both celebration and melancholy—is surrounded by recurring motifs from his dreamlike world: the village izba, the couple in love embraced beneath a radiant star, and weightless, protective animals. The engraving, with its great density, is striking for the vibrancy of its hatching and blacks, offering a precious and intimate glimpse into the artist’s graphic creative process.
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Marc Chagall (1887–1985)
The Village Cellist—First State (BAT) 1967 Etching on paper, signed and annotated “bon à tirer” in the lower right corner
Image dimensions: 25 x 31.5 cm; 37 x 52 cm Bibliography: Cramer 13 This etching is exceptional because it is the “proof” (BAT), the reference copy approved by the artist himself to authorize the final printing of the edition. The composition showcases all the nostalgic poetry and Eastern European Jewish folklore so dear to Chagall. The musician—a central and recurring figure in his work, symbolizing both celebration and melancholy—is surrounded by recurring motifs from his dreamlike world: the village izba, the couple in love embraced beneath a radiant star, and weightless, protective animals. The engraving, with its great density, is striking for the vibrancy of its hatching and blacks, offering a precious and intimate glimpse into the artist’s graphic creative process.
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Time, Location
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