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Lithograph, 1980, on Arches paper, signed in pencil, numbered from the edition of 50, published by Maeght Editeur, Paris, image: 94 x 69.9 cm. (37 x 23 ½ in), sheet: 118.8 x 75.6 cm. (46 ¾ x 29 ¾ in.)
Created towards the end of his life, this dynamic image comprises some of Chagall’s more well-known and loved compositional elements to create a surreal and dream-like vision and act as a reflection on his personal and artistic journey. The cockerel resting on the central figure’s shoulder is often thought to symbolise the artist’s alter-ego, while the horse is believed to have been used by the artist to represent himself. The work also features representations of figures significant to Chagall – the figure of the naked woman is believed to portray the artist’s first wife and childhood love, Bella, while the flying herring is thought to memorialise his father, who worked in a fish factory. Notably, Création is the only black and white work in this collection, perhaps due to its more introspective nature.
