Martin Lawrence Galleries, San Francisco
Private Collection, Montreal
Literature
Fernand Mourlot, "The Lithographs of Chagall: 1962-1968, volume III", Monte Carlo, 1969, catalogue no. M. 527, pages 12 and 130
Reflecting Marc Chagall’s bold palette and joyous subject matter, this lithograph is taken from his Circus series commissioned by the French art dealer Ambroise Vollard. Two great themes run throughout his entire oeuvre: the circus and the Bible. The French artist described his ability to turn easily from one to the other: “I have always thought of clowns, acrobats and actors as tragically human beings who, to me, seem closely linked with the characters of some religious pictures.” A colourful clown playing the horn dominates the composition. Overlapping swirls of colour and various patches of pattern decorate his costume, creating a vibrant visual effect that draws the viewer’s eye. A towering female figure at left and performing acrobats in the distance at right are simply outlined in shades of orange and purple, covering the pared-down background. As a circus admirer, Chagall’s childlike pleasure at watching the performers is undeniable: “These clowns, these riders and these acrobats dwell in my visions. Why am I so moved by their make-up and their grimaces? In their company I draw near to other horizons. All the colour and the make-up lead me on towards other psychic variations which I long to paint.”
