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Lithograph in colours, 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: 116.8 x 75.6 cm. (46 x 29 ¾ in.)
This piece comprises some of Chagall’s more well-known and loved compositional elements. Taking up the majority of the image is a beautiful bouquet of flowers, which is admired by a woman in a vibrant, red dress in the foreground. The presence of the cockerel, thought to symbolise the artist’s alter-ego, appears to look longingly up at the small town in the distance. We know this town to be Saint Paul de Vence, a mecca for many artists such as Matisse, Picasso, Magnelli, Léger, in the hills above the French Riviera. Chagall returned to this town many times throughout his life and just before turning 80, he had a home built there in1966. Upon his death in 1985, Chagall was buried in the cemetery of Saint Paul de Vence, further highlighting the significant impression this place had on the artist’s life.
