Behind the Looking Glass. Derrière le Miroir. by Marc Chagall, 1887-1985

Marc Chagall, 1887-1985
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Behind the Looking Glass. Derrière le Miroir.

Original lithograph in colours. 1964. From the edition issued unsigned for the album: Derrière le Miroir - Exposition Chagall'. Printed at Mourlot Studio, Issued by Galerie Maeght, Paris 1964. Editioned from the same stones and at the same date as the signed edition.
Ref: Mourlot - Chagall Lithographs no 412.

Excellent impression with very strong colours and inking. On stiff pale cream wove paper. Good condition - trace of old mounting. Printed to full sheet size, as issued. Printed onto a double sheet, as issued, with a trace of the usual central fold now flattened. Sheet: 380x560mm. 15 x 22ins.

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'Behind the Looking Glass' is one of the most interesting and appealing subjects in Chagall's lithography of the mid 1960's. It is a development of the traditional theme of 'looking in the mirror' - images using the theme of the outward real world and a 'secret' inner world beyond. Chagall extends the idea by suggesting two mirrors. The outer mirror held by the pierrot on the right, and the figure on the left shows one world with the typical Chagall fantasy symbols of the donkey, the cock, a flying umbrella. At the same time an inner mirror shows a figure surrounded by light, perhaps an image of the artist himself. To which of these worlds does the woman in red (perhaps a personification of Chagall's wife) belong; is she outside both mirror worlds or moving between them. It is a fascinating and highly poetic composition full of Chagall's inimitable drawing and glowing colours.

(After the War Galerie Maeght had adopted the title of 'Derrière le Miroir - Behind the Mirror' for its regular publication which contained articles about their artists, catalogues for exhibitions, and original lithographs. The title was intended to suggest 'a view into the background of the artists'. It was probably from this that Chagall had the idea for his composition with the allied title. An edition of the Chagall lithograph was issued in the 'Derrière le Miroir' album, but unsigned, trimmed and printed on a machine press.)