The Vision of Elijah

Original Etching, 14th December 1931/39, on Montval paper, in black and white, signed in the plate (below left).
Edition: 275
Reference: Sorlier No 277. Cramer Number 29
Published by: Teriade, 1956
Printed by: Raymond Haasen, Paris
Historical Note: This is Plate 88 from the Bible series. Upon completion of the Gogol and La Fontaine etchings in 1931, Chagall responded to the suggestion by Vollard that he undertake a series of illustrations of the Bible. He worked on these plates throughout the next decade and had completed sixty-six by the time Vollard died in 1940. Thirty-nine others had been started in 1939 and were in a state of incompletion when war broke out in Europe. The plates remained stored in a warehouse until 1952. At that time Chagall resumed work on the series. All one hundred and five were completed and published by Teriade, successor to Vollard, in1957. In taking on the task of illustrating the Bible, Chagall undertook one of the most monumental printing projects ever attempted. The one hundred and five individual plates were the largest number Chagall had done on a single subject. In addition, pictorially and dramatically, the works are more complex than those found in his previous sets of etchings. Technically, the plates were invariably preceded by a number of gouaches and black and white sketches in each instance. The general tone is highly serious, consistent with the emotional and dramatic content. The use of heavy blacks and sharp contrasts of light and shadow are frequent. This is plate 88 from the Bible series. The massive work was not only a considerable artistic achievement but was also a statement of the artists faith in his religion in which he explored the deeds of the Patriarchs and their relationship with God. This etching shows the Prophet Elijah hearing “The still small voice of god”