MARC CHAGALL (RUSSIAN 1887-1985)Jacob leaves his country with his family to visit Egypt [Jacob

MARC CHAGALL (RUSSIAN 1887-1985)Jacob leaves his country with his family to visit Egypt [Jacob quitte son pays avec sa famille], 1931-1939 or 1952-1956hand-colored etching41.5 x 32.5 cm (16 1/8 x 12 3/4 in.)signed in plate Chagall lower left; initialed in the margin lower right M. Ch, numbered 62/100 lower leftPROVENANCEFindlay Galleries, Palm Beach, FLLOT NOTES“I did not see the Bible, I dreamed it. ...It has always seemed to me and still seems today the greatest source of poetry of all time.” --Marc ChagallUpon being commissioned by Ambrose Vollard to illustrate the Old Testament, Chagall took a trip to the Holy Land, where he allowed himself to be immersed in the history of his ancestors, and gathered inspiration for this monumental project. Between 1931 and 1939, Chagall executed 66 of the full cycle of 105 plates, with a halt brought on by the death of Vollard and the advent of WWII. It was not until 1952 that he returned to the series, completing the remainder by 1956, when they were published by Teriade. A number of the works, the present lot among them, were hand-painted by the artist with his characteristic, bright splashes of color. Picasso once reportedly told Francoise Gilot: “When Matisse dies, Chagall will be the only painter left who understands what color is... His canvases are really painted, not just tossed together. Some of the last things he`s done... convince me that there`s never been anybody since Renoir who has the feeling for light that Chagall has.”PLEASE NOTEIf you will be bidding live on auction day, please note that Session I of the Auction (Asian and Russian Fine & Decorative Art), starts at 10:00 AM New York Time and goes from Lot 1 through Lot 254. Session II of the Auction (European, American and International Fine & Decorative Art) starts at 3:00 PM New York Time and goes from Lot 500 through Lot 676. We sell approximately 70 lots per hour.