L’Homme et L’idole de bois

Original Dry Point Etching, 1952, on Japan paper, signed in the plate (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 42
Size: 15 1/2” X 12” (Plate size)
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: This tells of a Pagan peasant who in his home kept a wooden idol. The man belived the idol had great power and throughout his life he made offerings to it of all his most precious possesions and money. The idol did nothing for the man but it cost him dearly.
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