Marc Chagall – Daphnis and Chloe: Beside the Spring

Artwork Details:

• Artist: Marc Chagall (1887–1985)
• Title: Beside the Spring (Daphnis and Chloe)
• Medium: Vintage Color Lithograph
• Publisher: George Braziller
• Printed In: West Germany
• Copyright Info: Les Editions, 1961 Verve, Paris
• Published: 1977
• Dimensions: 9.25 x 12.5 inches (23.5 x 32 cm)
• Condition: Excellent
• Framing: Comes framed

Description & Artistic Significance

Marc Chagall’s Beside the Spring is part of his legendary Daphnis and Chloe series, a collection of 42 lithographs created in 1961 to illustrate Longus’s pastoral romance. The series, known for its lyrical dreamlike quality, captures the poetic and mythical love story of Daphnis and Chloe, two foundlings raised by shepherds who gradually discover love.

Composition & Technique:

• Chagall’s signature bold yet delicate color palette brings a sense of warmth and fluidity, immersing the viewer in the lovers’ world.
• The interplay of blues, greens, and warm earthy tones reflects the tranquility and natural beauty of the spring, a significant setting in the lovers' journey.
• Chagall’s painterly approach to lithography retains the expressiveness and vibrancy of his brushstrokes, making each piece a unique visual experience.

Symbolism & Themes:

• Beside the Spring represents a moment of serenity and romantic awakening as the young lovers find solace in nature’s embrace.
• Water, a recurring motif in Daphnis and Chloe, symbolizes purity, renewal, and emotional depth, reinforcing the innocence of their love.
• The ethereal floating figures, a hallmark of Chagall’s work, evoke a timeless and dreamlike quality, capturing the story’s magical essence.

Conclusion: A Timeless Romantic Masterpiece

As one of the most celebrated works in the Daphnis and Chloe series, Beside the Spring embodies Chagall’s poetic vision and mastery of color. The lithograph’s excellent condition and original publication history add to its collectibility and artistic value.