Lot 25

Art Focus, Zurich, 2001 (accompanied by original purchase receipt)
Private collection, Sydney

Cramer, G., Marc Chagall, Monotypes 1966-1976, Genf 1976, og. 56/57, no. 234

Marc Chagall began working with monotype in 1961, encouraged by his friend and publisher Gérald Cramer and in collaboration with master printer Jacques Frélaut. Over the next fourteen years, he produced more than 300 monotypes. Working directly onto a copper plate with oil colour, the process allowed Chagall to work freely and spontaneously, bringing the qualities of painting into his printmaking.

Created in 1974, the present work dates from the final years of Chagall's work in the medium. During 1974 and 1975, he and Frélaut produced close to one hundred monotypes, returning to subjects that had long occupied Chagall, including lovers, musicians, animals and flowers. Unlike his editioned prints, each monotype exists as a unique impression, with variations in colour, surface and line that come directly from the printing process.

© Marc Chagall/Copyright Agency, 2026