Marc Chagall

Galerie Flechtheim, Berlin & Dusseldorf (acquired in 1931)
Leo Koppel, London
Professor Wolfgang Hermann, London
Mr & Mrs Harry Weinberger

Chicago, The Art Institute of Chicago, 11th International Exhibition of Watercolors, 1931
London, The Mayor Gallery

Executed on buff-coloured laid paper, not laid down, hinged to the mount in the top two corners and floating in the mount. The ink has lightened due to time-staining. There is a 1cm. supported tear to the lower left corner. The top right corner has been supported. There is an 11cm. repaired tear running across the top left quadrant and a 1cm. repaired tear to the centre of the top edge. There is a 1cm. flattened crease towards the top right corner. Apart from some handling marks mainly to the corners, this work is in stable condition. Colours: Overall the colours are less red and more subtle, and the paper tone is more cream-coloured in the original.
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In anticipation of his first major solo exhibition at Der Sturm in Berlin, Chagall departed Paris in June of 1914. Following the opening, Chagall continued on to Vitebsk to attend the wedding of his sister Zina, and to spend time with his beloved Bella. Although he planned to return to Paris after 3 months, the outbreak of World War I prevented his return. It is during this time Chagall finds his art overwhelmingly influenced by his homeland and the people which populate his everyday life in Russia. In the present work, Chagall depicts two Russians going about their daily chores with their horse and cart. The man in the foreground, with his heavy beard, thick boots and cap, represents the Russian farmer who will reappear in Chagall's work each time he reminisces about Vitebsk. Further connecting himself to the present work is his signature, which appears at lower left as well as on the door of the fence in the background, as though it leads to the artist's home.