Les Deux Coqs

Original Etching, 1952, On Velin Reeves wove 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 77
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: There were once two Coqs living in peace and happiness. Eventually a hen arrives and the two men fight it out for the favour of the woman. The winner crowing loudly over his victory, was spotted by a passing vulture and eaten. The loser returned to the scene of his defeat only to find many hens and realised he had fought a great fight, losing his best friend, for no reason.
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