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Learn MoreLa joie du village by Marc Chagall
- This remarkable work celebrates Chagall’s Jewish heritage and love for his wife Bella
- It serves as a vivid portrayal of Vitebsk, Chagall’s hometown
- The composition features a fiddler and goat, referring to his cultural background
- Chagall's masterful use of gouache, pastel and ink builds a rich surface and emotional depth
- Get complete item description here
$1,885,000
Item No.
32-0044
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Description
Marc Chagall
1887-1985 | Russian
La joie du village
(The joy of the village)
Signed “Marc Chagall” (lower right)
Gouache, pastel, pen and ink on laid paper
This stunning work, entitled La joie du village, combines an array of Chagall's most iconic symbols in his unmistakable bold palette, woven together masterfully in a vibrant, energetic composition. The painting features some of his most celebrated motifs: a bridal couple floating above a quaint. . .
1887-1985 | Russian
La joie du village
(The joy of the village)
Signed “Marc Chagall” (lower right)
Gouache, pastel, pen and ink on laid paper
This stunning work, entitled La joie du village, combines an array of Chagall's most iconic symbols in his unmistakable bold palette, woven together masterfully in a vibrant, energetic composition. The painting features some of his most celebrated motifs: a bridal couple floating above a quaint. . .
Read More
Marc Chagall
1887-1985 | Russian
La joie du village
(The joy of the village)
Signed “Marc Chagall” (lower right)
Gouache, pastel, pen and ink on laid paper
This stunning work, entitled La joie du village, combines an array of Chagall's most iconic symbols in his unmistakable bold palette, woven together masterfully in a vibrant, energetic composition. The painting features some of his most celebrated motifs: a bridal couple floating above a quaint village, likely symbolizing Chagall and his beloved first wife, Bella Rosenfeld, and their hometown of Vitebsk. This radiant nocturnal scene captures the artist's nostalgic affection for his homeland and his deep emotional ties to Bella.
The visual elements in La joie du village are quintessentially Chagall. The floating figures, rendered in vivid hues, create a sense of otherworldly magic, while a colorful cockerel, symbolizing love and fertility, plays a central role. The painting also features a sea-foam green goat and blue fiddler, two figures that appear frequently in Chagall’s work, alluding to his Jewish heritage and the memories of his youth. The goat, often viewed as a symbol of sacrifice, hints at Chagall’s personal history and the tribulations faced by his community in the Russian Empire. Meanwhile, the fiddler, a recurring motif in his oeuvre, represents the joyous yet bittersweet musical traditions that filled his childhood.
Marc Chagall’s career spanned many decades and mediums, and he is widely regarded as one of the 20th century’s most influential artists. His ability to blend personal memory with folklore and fantasy set him apart from his contemporaries. Born in Vitebsk, Chagall was part of the Russian Jewish tradition, and his work often reflects the spirituality and mysticism of his background. Throughout his career, he used art to process the emotional weight of his experiences, from his deep love for his wives to the tragedies of war. Chagall’s work continues to be celebrated in major museums around the world, from the Centre Pompidou in Paris to the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Painted 1964
Paper: 26 5/8" high x 20 1/2" wide (67.5 x 52 cm)
Frame: 36 1/2" high x 30 1/4" wide x 2" deep (108.1 x100.5 x 9 cm)
Provenance:
Galerie de l’Elysée, Paris
Arthur Tooth & Sons Ltd, London (acquired 12 October 1966)
Mr. Nathan Cummings, Chicago (acquired 12 June 1968)
Jack Cummings, Montreal
Private collection, London
1887-1985 | Russian
La joie du village
(The joy of the village)
Signed “Marc Chagall” (lower right)
Gouache, pastel, pen and ink on laid paper
This stunning work, entitled La joie du village, combines an array of Chagall's most iconic symbols in his unmistakable bold palette, woven together masterfully in a vibrant, energetic composition. The painting features some of his most celebrated motifs: a bridal couple floating above a quaint village, likely symbolizing Chagall and his beloved first wife, Bella Rosenfeld, and their hometown of Vitebsk. This radiant nocturnal scene captures the artist's nostalgic affection for his homeland and his deep emotional ties to Bella.
The visual elements in La joie du village are quintessentially Chagall. The floating figures, rendered in vivid hues, create a sense of otherworldly magic, while a colorful cockerel, symbolizing love and fertility, plays a central role. The painting also features a sea-foam green goat and blue fiddler, two figures that appear frequently in Chagall’s work, alluding to his Jewish heritage and the memories of his youth. The goat, often viewed as a symbol of sacrifice, hints at Chagall’s personal history and the tribulations faced by his community in the Russian Empire. Meanwhile, the fiddler, a recurring motif in his oeuvre, represents the joyous yet bittersweet musical traditions that filled his childhood.
Marc Chagall’s career spanned many decades and mediums, and he is widely regarded as one of the 20th century’s most influential artists. His ability to blend personal memory with folklore and fantasy set him apart from his contemporaries. Born in Vitebsk, Chagall was part of the Russian Jewish tradition, and his work often reflects the spirituality and mysticism of his background. Throughout his career, he used art to process the emotional weight of his experiences, from his deep love for his wives to the tragedies of war. Chagall’s work continues to be celebrated in major museums around the world, from the Centre Pompidou in Paris to the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Painted 1964
Paper: 26 5/8" high x 20 1/2" wide (67.5 x 52 cm)
Frame: 36 1/2" high x 30 1/4" wide x 2" deep (108.1 x100.5 x 9 cm)
Provenance:
Galerie de l’Elysée, Paris
Arthur Tooth & Sons Ltd, London (acquired 12 October 1966)
Mr. Nathan Cummings, Chicago (acquired 12 June 1968)
Jack Cummings, Montreal
Private collection, London
Read Less
Specifications
| Maker: | Chagall, Marc |
| Period: | 1919-Present |
| Origin: | France |
| Type: | Paintings |
| Style: | Modernism |
| Depth: | 1.88 in. (4.76 cm) |
| Width: | 30.38 in. (77.15 cm) |
| Height: | 36.5 in. (92.71 cm) |
| Canvas Width: | 19.750 in. (50.17 cm) |
| Canvas Height: | 25.750 in. (65.41 cm) |
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Buy with Confidence
At M.S. Rau, we are committed to building a long-term, rewarding relationship with each and every client. That’s why your purchase is backed by our 125% guarantee.
Learn More
