Cantique de David

Marc Chagall (1887-1985, Russian/French) - "Cantique de David" (Song of David) is one of 105 etchings from the artist's Bible Series. This is a very rare and nearly impossible work of art to find in the secondary market. The etching is hand colored by Chagall in watercolor on Arches wove paper and the framing is magnificent. The piece depicts David, freed from all of his enemies, singing a hymn of victory to the Lord. Full provenance papers are included. This work of art was published by Teriade in 1956. The piece is initialed M.Ch. and numbered 69/100 in pencil. It measures 29 x 32 inches framed and matted to museum specifications to preserve the work forever.

La Bible is considered one of Chagall's most important works.
In 1930, Marc Chagall was commissioned by notable art dealer and publisher, Ambroise Vollard, to complete an illustrated series of the Bible. Vollard believed the Bible was the most important piece of literature of all time and the cornerstone of Western tradition. Chagall spent the next eight years from 1931-1939 etching the plates.

Before beginning this expansive suite of 105 etchings, Marc Chagall traveled to Palestine, Syria, and Egypt. The imagery of these pieces comes from direct experience with the land and people of the Bible. The intense and detailed imagery in the Bible series is a product of Chagall's immense skill and concentration. He worked for a long time on each copper plate, sometimes making as many as twelve states and from four to fourteen trial proofs before Chagall felt that the piece was complete. It was in 1956 that the entire suite of etchings was finally completed. Chagall's Bible series became known as the first major illustrated edition of the Old Testament in modern times.

This suite of original hand colored etchings was printed in an edition of 100, plus proofs. Each piece is hand initialed and numbered by the artist.

Marc Zakharovich Chagall was a Russian-French artist of Belarusian Jewish origin. An early modernist, he was associated with several major artistic styles and created works in virtually every artistic format, including painting, book illustrations, stained glass, stage sets, ceramic, tapestries and fine art prints.

• Lived: Jul 07, 1887 - Mar 28, 1985 (age 97)
• Spouse: Valentina Brodsky (m. 1952 - 1985) · Bella Rosenfeld (m. 1915 - 1944)
• Children: David McNeil (Son)
• Periods: Fauvism · Surrealism · Cubism · Expressionism · Modern art
• Parents: Khatskl Shagal (Father)
• Awards: Wolf Prize in Arts (1981) · Erasmus Prize (1960)