Le Paon se plaignant a Junon

Original Etching, 1952, On bfk Rives watermarked paper, signed in the plate, bottom left, (not by hand)
Reference: Marc Chagall “Les Livres Illustres” by Patrick Cramer : Number 22
Marc Chagall : 100 Acquaforti per le favioli di la Fontaine - Published by Toninelli Arte Moderna, Milano - reference 24
Size: 15 1/2” X 12” (Plate size)
Historical Note: This was part of an album entitled “Fables de La Fontaine” which consisted of a 100 etchings. The works illustrated are based on the work by Jean De La Fontaine who was a French poet who lived in the 17th century. There were 243 fables in total based on the works by Aesop and are stories which illustrate themes of morality and good sense. These were created between 1927 and 1930 but not published until 1952. When they were made they were pioneered by Chagall’s friend Ambroise Vollard with whom he published Gogols “Dead Souls”. The Great art dealer, however, died before they were published and it was left to Teriade who eventually worked with the artist to publish these in 1952
Note on the Fable: The Peacock, as we know, has not got a good singing voice and he complains to the Goddess Juno that the Nightingale, “a paltry little thing” sings much better then he does. Juno is not at all pleased to hear this and remarks that his tail is the most beautiful in the bird kingdom and that many birds have great advantages over others. The hawk is fast. The Eagle is brave, The Ravens create omens and the Rooks show bad tidings. She chides him for his complaint and says if more is heard he will lose his lovely plumage!
Edition: The editioning of this series is complex:
40 Copies numbered from 1 to 40 with the 100 etchings handpainted by the artist on Rives wove and two suites of the 100 etchings, one on Japon Nacre, the other on Montval.
45 Copies numbered from 41 to 85 with the 100 etchings handpainted by the artist on Rives wove and a suite of the etchings on Montval
15 Hors commerce copies reserved for the collaborators and numbered from I to xv, with the 100 etchings on Rives wove.
Published by: Teriade, Paris, 1952
Printed by: Maurice Potin, Paris, France