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Gouache préparatoire pour Sirène au poète by Marc Chagall
Gouache préparatoire pour Sirène au poète by Marc Chagall
Gouache préparatoire pour Sirène au poète by Marc Chagall
Gouache préparatoire pour Sirène au poète by Marc Chagall
Gouache préparatoire pour Sirène au poète by Marc Chagall
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Gouache préparatoire pour Sirène au poète by Marc Chagall

  • This gouache was the foundation for Chagall’s famous The Nice and The Côte d'Azur series
  • The bright composition depicts a surreal embrace between a poet and a siren
  • The vibrant palette showcases Chagall’s visual language and love for the Côte d'Azur
  • Accompanied by its Certificate of Authenticity from Meret Meyer, Comité Chagall
  • Get complete item description here
$1,885,000
Item No. 32-0042

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Description
Marc Chagall
1887-1985 | Russian

Gouache préparatoire pour Sirène au poète
Preparatory gouache for Siren to the poet

Signature stamp of the estate "Marc Chagall" (lower center)
Gouache and pastel on paper

This gouache was the foundation for a famed lithographic series by Marc Chagall. Painted in 1960, this work inspired the 150 signed lithographs, The Nice and The Côte d'Azur series, released in 1967, and stands as a remarkable example of. . .
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Marc Chagall
1887-1985 | Russian

Gouache préparatoire pour Sirène au poète
Preparatory gouache for Siren to the poet

Signature stamp of the estate "Marc Chagall" (lower center)
Gouache and pastel on paper

This gouache was the foundation for a famed lithographic series by Marc Chagall. Painted in 1960, this work inspired the 150 signed lithographs, The Nice and The Côte d'Azur series, released in 1967, and stands as a remarkable example of the artist's mastery over color, form and emotional resonance. In this version, the embrace between the poet and the siren is more vivid and dynamic than in the final lithographs, offering an unfiltered glimpse into Chagall's creative process. Its significance lies in its connection to one of Chagall's most beloved subjects: the poetic dreamscape of the French Riviera.

The visual elements of this work demonstrate Chagall's signature fantastical and symbolic style. The entwined poet and siren merge into one ethereal figure, set against a surreal backdrop of a beach adorned with palm trees, with one tree whimsically replaced by a bloom of flowers. The royal blue sky contrasts with the crimson moon and its reflection in the ocean, casting a dreamlike glow over the entire composition. The bold, rich hues of the gouache, particularly the vibrant blues and reds, evoke Chagall’s profound emotional connection to the South of France and his mastery of capturing its atmospheric beauty.

Marc Chagall, one of the most celebrated artists of the 20th century, spent much of his later life in Nice, where he felt a deep spiritual connection to the Mediterranean landscape. In this series, Chagall returned to the themes of love, mythology and nature, seamlessly blending them with the luminous light of the Côte d'Azur. His art from this period reflects a profound serenity, and his work has been exhibited in major institutions worldwide, including the Louvre and the Museum of Modern Art. 

This work is accompanied by its Certificate of Authenticity issued by Meret Meyer, Comité Chagall, dated 6 April 2023

Painted 1960

Paper: 30 1/2“ high x 21 1/2” wide (77.5 x 54.6 cm)
Frame: 47 1/4“ high x 38 3/8” wide x 2 3/8“ deep (120 x 97.5 x 6 cm)

Provenance:
Estate of the artist
Private collection, London

Literature:
D. Marchesseau, Chagall: ivre d'images>/em>, Paris, 1995, p. 111 (illustrated)
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Gouache préparatoire pour Sirène au poète by Marc Chagall
Maker: Chagall, Marc
Period: 1919-Present
Origin: France
Type: Paintings
Style: Modernism
Depth: 2.0 in. (5.08 cm)
Width: 38.25 in. (97.16 cm)
Height: 47.5 in. (120.65 cm)
Canvas Width: 21.250 in. (53.98 cm)
Canvas Height: 30.250 in. (76.84 cm)
Gouache préparatoire pour Sirène au poète by Marc Chagall
A Survey of French Art: Romanticism to the Modern Age

Though largely known by the ephemeral landscapes of the Impressionist frontrunners such as Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, the history of French fine art boasts a vast history that encompasses numerous styles. In...

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Buy with Confidence

At M.S. Rau, we are committed to building a long-term, rewarding relationship with each and every client. That’s why your purchase is backed by our 125% guarantee.

Learn More

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