The Painter and his Double - Der Maler und sein Abbild

Article description

Original color lithograph by Marc Chagall. Edition of 5,000, unsigned and unnumbered, from Original Lithograph, 1981. Published by Mourlot, Paris, 1981. Printed by Mourlot, Paris. Sheet: 380 by 555mm (15 by 21 inches). A rare self-portrait lithograph from one of the 20th century's most beloved artists. Marc Chagall (7 July 1887 – 28 March 1985) was one of the most celebrated and beloved artists of the 20th century. Born Marc Zakharovich Shagal in Vitebsk, Belarus (then part of the Russian Empire), he trained in Saint Petersburg before moving to Paris in 1910, where he became part of the vibrant avant-garde of Montparnasse. Drawing on Jewish folk tradition, Russian culture, and the imagery of his Belarusian childhood, Chagall developed a uniquely dreamlike visual language infused with lovers floating above villages, fiddlers on rooftops, animals, angels, and mystical biblical scenes. Associated with Fauvism, Cubism, and Surrealism—yet belonging to none—he was the quintessential 'School of Paris' master. His monumental stained-glass windows, ceiling paintings (including the Paris Opéra), and tapestries brought his vision to public spaces worldwide. Chagall's work is held at MoMA in New York, the Tate in London, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the Guggenheim, and the Musée National Marc Chagall in Nice—inaugurated in 1973 and dedicated to his biblical message cycle. He remains one of the most sought-after names in 20th-century prints, with original lithographs consistently coveted by collectors worldwide. This original color lithograph was produced during Chagall's most prolific printmaking period, printed at the celebrated Mourlot studio in Paris under the supervision of master lithographer Fernand Mourlot. The Mourlot studio was Chagall's primary printmaking partner from 1950 onwards, and its impeccable technical standards ensured that each impression faithfully conveyed the luminosity and color of the original stone drawings. This original color lithograph (sheet: 380 by 555mm (15 by 21 inches)) depicts 'The Painter and his Double - Der Maler und sein Abbild'. Published in 1981 Edition of 5,000, by Mourlot, Paris, this work is a fine example of Chagall's graphic production of the period, printed at the celebrated Mourlot studio in Paris under the direct supervision of Fernand Mourlot. Each color was applied from a separate lithographic stone, resulting in the luminous, layered palette that makes Chagall's prints instantly recognizable. Chagall's self-portraits are among the most personal and revelatory works in his graphic output—images of the artist as dreamer, wanderer, and poet. These rare prints offer collectors an intimate glimpse into the artist's self-understanding and his role as the keeper of memory and imagination. In excellent condition. Colors vivid and unfaded. No tears, creases, or foxing. Ready to frame.

Marc Chagall – The Painter and his Double - Der Maler und sein Abbild · Original Color Lithograph · Edition of 5,000 · Mourlot, Paris · 1981

Mourlot 992