Marc Chagall, Sara et Abimélec, Nude, 1960, Original Lithograph

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Marc chagall

sara et abimélec
(sarah and abimelech)
from "drawings for the bible"

colour lithograph on paper
publisher: verve, paris
… Read more Marc chagall

sara et abimélec
(sarah and abimelech)
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. # 239
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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

marc chagall’s sarah and abimelech is a striking color lithograph from his renowned bible series. Created in 1960, the work captures a tense moment from the book of genesis where king abimelech, having taken sarah into his harem, is warned by god in a dream of her true identity as abraham's wife.

true to chagall’s poetic style, the composition is fluid and dreamlike. The figure of abimelech is rendered with expressive, heavy linework, reclining in a state of troubled sleep. Above him, a winged celestial presence—representing the divine warning—hovers in a wash of vibrant pink and red. Sarah is depicted with a soft, ethereal presence, emphasising her innocence in the ordeal. The interplay of soft pastels and bold, sketchy contours creates a mystical atmosphere, masterfully translating ancient scripture into a modern, emotional visual narrative. 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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