Description:This enchanting moonlight scene depicts Aleko and his wife, Zemphira from an old Russian tale of love and tragedy. Chagall, commissioned to illustrate and create backdrops for the ballet of Aleko, uses the emotion, passion, and excitement from the story to inspire this work. In it, he embraces his wife under the light of a brilliant moon; the deep, rich hues of the midnight blue is augmented by the bright red rooster, used to signify virility and re-birth. The story follows Aleko, an old and tired husband who is devoted to his young, hapless wife. We follow him through a journey in which true love is revealed and explained to him, his values challenged, his morals questioned. It is a tale reminiscent of a Shakespearean tragedy which Chagall uses as a foundation on which to create an equally rich and inspiring work.
Created in 1955, this work is based on the original oil on canvas by Marc Chagall from 1951. Published by Maeght and printed by Georges Visat, his signature appears in pencil in the lower left margin. Numbered 207/300, this artist's proof is also hand-signed by Marc Chagall (1887 - 1985) in pencil in the lower right margin.
Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
It is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that will accompany the final sale of the work) :
1. A Masterworks Fine Art, Inc. Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.
About the Framing:
Framed in museum-quality, archival materials, this work is set in an Italian-style, bronze-leaf frame. The muted tones of the bronze moulding compliment and highlight the tones and textures of the highly detailed nighttime scene. Aleko is completed with white, linen-wrapped mats and a matching gold inner fillet and set behind an archival Plexiglas cover.
