Marc Chagall, Adam et Ève et le Fruit Défendu (Adam and Eve and the Forbidden Fruit), Nude, 1960, Original Lithograph

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Marc chagall

adam et ève et le fruit défendu
(adam and eve and the forbidden fruit)
from "drawings for the … Read more Marc chagall

adam et ève et le fruit défendu
(adam and eve and the forbidden fruit)
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. # 235
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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 this captivating lithograph, adam et ève et le fruit défendu, marc chagall reimagines the pivotal moment of temptation with his trademark lyrical mysticism. The composition is dominated by a lush, vibrant red canopy of the tree of knowledge, which seems to pulse with life and consequence. Within this crimson foliage, the serpent is intricately woven, appearing less as a traditional monster and more as an organic extension of the garden's forbidden allure.

eve is the central focus, her long, flowing red hair mirroring the hues of the fruit and the tree, suggesting a deep, almost inescapable connection to the act of transgression. Behind her, adam appears contemplative, his face shaded in a cool blue that provides a striking visual counterpoint to the warmth of the scene. Chagall’s use of soft, chalky textures and ethereal light creates a dreamlike atmosphere, transforming the biblical narrative into a delicate dance of curiosity and destiny. It is a masterful depiction of innocence on the verge of transformation. 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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