Marc Chagall, Noémi et ses Belles-Filles (Naomi and Her Daughters-in-Law), 1960, Original Lithograph

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Marc chagall

noémi et ses belles-filles
(naomi and her daughters-in-law)
from "drawings for the bible"

colour lithograph on paper
publisher: … Read more Marc chagall

noémi et ses belles-filles
(naomi and her daughters-in-law)
from "drawings for the bible"

colour lithograph on paper
publisher: verve, paris
year: 1960
size: 355 x 264 mm

on the back: another black and white original lithograph by marc chagall, mandatory in this edition.

very good condition: complete image (no crop, no trim), wonderful colours, a hardly perceivable bump in the corner (see image)

with gallery certificate

catalogue raisonné:
meret meyer and patrick cramer, "marc chagall, les livres illustrés", ref. # 42
charles sorlier and fernand mourlot, chagall lithographe, vol. Ii, ref. # 245
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chagall and the bible

marc chagall’s drawings for the bible, published in 1960 as a special double issue of the legendary art magazine verve, represents one of the most profound encounters between modern art and sacred text. While chagall had been obsessed with biblical themes since his 1931 trip to palestine, this specific suite allowed him to explore the narrative with a newfound technical mastery of colour lithography.

working closely with the master printer fernand mourlot, chagall created 24 vibrant color lithographs for this series. These works do not merely illustrate the old testament; they reimagine it through a dreamlike, jewish-eastern european lens. Chagall uses radiant blues, fiery reds, and golden yellows to transcend literal interpretation. The figures often float, defying gravity to suggest a spiritual reality that exists alongside the physical one.

for chagall, the bible was the "greatest source of poetry of all time." through these lithographs, he sought to make the ancient prophets and patriarchs feel human and immediate. Today, this collection is celebrated not just as a religious milestone, but as a pinnacle of 20th-century printmaking, showcasing how chagall could turn stone and ink into pure emotion.
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about this very artwork

in marc chagall’s naomi and her daughters-in-law, the artist portrays a moment of profound transition and bittersweet departure. Part of his 1960 bible series, this color lithograph illustrates naomi’s return to bethlehem, flanked by ruth and orpah. The central cluster of figures emphasises the deep emotional bond between the women, as they lean into one another in a shared embrace of grief and loyalty.

chagall utilises a warm, muted palette of earthy browns and ochres, reflecting the somber journey of the three widows. Unlike the vibrant reds of earlier works in the series, the color here is applied in soft, textured washes that create a sense of dusty displacement. To the right, a striking crimson celestial orb hangs in the sky, perhaps symbolising the setting of their old lives in moab or the dawning of a new, uncertain future. To the left, a solitary animal figure and sparse foliage suggest the barren wilderness they must traverse. Through fluid, sketchy linework and expressive faces, chagall masterfully captures the themes of devotion and the heavy weight of shared loss. I have official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalogs,
designer records,
or other literature sources and take full responsibility for any authenticity issues arising
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