Le Bouquet Rose.

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, in the hills above the French Riviera, a mecca for many artists including Matisse, Picasso, Magnelli, Léger. Chagall returned to the town many times throughout his life and just before turning 80, he had a home built there in 1966. 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.

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.)

M.979.