Marc Chagall, Assuérus chasse Vasthi (Assuerus sends Vasthi away), 1960, Original Lithograph

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Marc chagall

assuérus chasse vasthi
(assuerus sends vasthi away)
from "drawings for the bible"

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

assuérus chasse vasthi
(assuerus sends vasthi away)
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. # 251
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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 ahasuerus sends vasthi away (mourlot 251), the artist depicts the dramatic opening chapter of the book of esther. This colour lithograph from the 1960 bible series illustrates the moment king ahasuerus banishes queen vasthi from his court after she refuses to appear before his guests, an act of defiance that sets the stage for esther’s eventual rise.

the composition is masterfully divided by a steep architectural staircase and a shift in atmosphere. On the left, the king stands atop the steps, draped in a regal, patterned red robe that signals his power and indignation. Surrounding him are the shadowy, sketchy figures of his courtiers. In contrast, the right side of the work is swathed in deep, midnight blues and cool greys. Vasthi is shown descending, her figure hunched in a graceful yet somber green garment as she exits the royal presence into the darkness. The grainy texture and swirling line work heighten the sense of emotional turmoil and the irreversible nature of the king's decree. Through these contrasting tones, chagall perfectly captures the tension between royal authority and the quiet dignity of the banished queen. 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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