Marc Chagall

Private Collection, United States
Private Collection, London

Very good condition. Affixed to board periodically along edges.
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Throughout his career, Chagall consistently turned to flower paintings not as rigorous studies in realism, but rather as expressive evocations of fantasy in their conflation of still-life, narrative motifs, and landscape. Chagall resided in Saint-Paul-de Vence, France, from 1966 until his death in March of 1985.  The artist sought to capture the splendor and luminosity of his Côte d'Azur Mediterranean town by experimenting with bold colors and unstructured compositions. According to Chagall's biographer Franz Meyer, "The light, the vegetation, the rhythm of life all contributed to the rise of a more relaxed airy, sensuous style in which the magic of colour dominates more and more with the passing years. At Vence he witnessed the daily miracle of growth and blossoming in the mild, strong all-pervading light, an experience in which earth and matter had their place" (Franz Meyer, Marc Chagall, London, 1964, p. 519).

In Le couple au bouquet dans la nuit, a multi-colored bouquet of flowers erupts from a vase to fill the canvas. The work has a boldness of color and dynamic energy which attest to the fantasy and exuberance of Chagall's boundless imagination.  It is an iconographical rendering of domestic life and happiness, represented by the explosive form of the colorful bouquet and the surrounding images of Chagall's favorite themes. 

Towards the end of his career, Chagall enjoyed international success and recognition.  The present work represents the artist's tranquil escape from the public eye and offers insight into his personal history. The flowers of the bouquet are magnificently large compared to the other figures, which imparts to the viewer a sense of abundance and whimsy. The embracing couple on the lower right is likely a reference to Chagall's relationship with his wife Valentine Brodsky (Vava) whom he married in 1952. Despite being set at night with the crescent moon looming through the window there is vibrant coloration throughout the composition.  Le couple au bouquet dans la nuit is a quintessential example Chagall's ability to create images which transcend traditional interpretation by fusing them with personal history and an effusive imagination.