Marc Chagall (1887-1985) Couple, drawing from 1967

India ink drawing, colored pencil, oil pastels, and ballpoint pen on the back of a photograph, dedicated «pour Robert amicalement», signed «Chagall», dated «1967» at the bottom right, and annotated «Marc Le message Biblique 22/6» at the top left. The photograph is dedicated «Pour Robert», signed, located, and dated «22/6 Musée du Louvre 1967». The photograph features, from left to right, Marc Chagall accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Villers (1922-1980), former editor-in-chief of France-Soir. Robert Villers was a close friend of Marc Chagall, and their first meeting took place in New York in 1947. This photograph was taken on June 22, 1967, in front of the entrance to the Mollien gallery at the Louvre Museum. A certificate of authenticity from the Marc Chagall committee dated April 6, 2023, will be provided to the buyer.

The drawing by Marc Chagall (Liozna in Russia 1887 – Saint-Paul-de-Vence 1985), dated 1967, was executed shortly after completing the cycle of the Biblical Message, which includes seventeen paintings illustrating Genesis and Exodus, and then the Song of Songs. This work is referenced in the easel located at the top left of the composition: «Marc Le message Biblique 22/6». The date of June 22 indicates the opening date of the exhibition titled «Le Message Biblique de Marc Chagall», which took place from June 22 to October 2, 1967, at the Mollien gallery of the Louvre Museum, following the donation proposed by Marc and Valentina Chagall to the French state on the condition of constructing a facility in Nice to house the seventeen large canvases and thirty-eight gouaches.

Probably influenced by the story of the Song of Songs, in the foreground, a couple faces each other, exchanging glances while ignoring the spectators. This vision of a happy and tender moment frozen in time is the quintessence of the artist's work, as lovers were among the most represented themes by Chagall throughout his career, reflecting his numerous romantic adventures.

A photograph on the back of the drawing is dedicated «pour Robert amicalement». The photograph features, from left to right, Marc Chagall accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Villers. Robert Villers (1922-1980), former editor-in-chief of France-Soir, was a close friend of Marc Chagall, with their first meeting taking place in New York in 1947. This photograph was taken on June 22, 1967, in front of the entrance to the Mollien gallery at the Louvre Museum. Everything suggests that the drawing represents the artist's friends' couple. However, the face of the man in the foreground has vaguely individualized but recognizable features, thanks to his curly hair and long nose, strangely resembling the distinctive features of the artist. As for Marc Chagall, he is visible in the vanishing point. Wearing a cap, hands crossed, he gazes diagonally at the easel as an invitation to linger on the message being conveyed.

Marc Chagall conceived this drawing, profoundly humanistic and brimming with joy of life, during a period marked by a return to vibrant colors and an attraction to joyful subjects since the 1950s. At this time, the painter met Valentina Brodsky, known as Vava, whom he married in 1952. The drawing takes the form of minimalist and narrative graphics inspired by louboks - Russian popular prints.

Marc Chagall multiplied drawings dedicated to his friends from the 1960s onwards. This drawing is no exception to the artist's practices, and he mentions a dedication 'for Robert amicably' at the bottom right. This dedication is to Robert Villers. These dedications are now highly valuable for tracing the origins of the works.