Description

This auction offers a framed print of the iconic artwork "Scene Design for the Finale of the Ballet Aleko" by the acclaimed Russian-French modernist master, Marc Chagall.

Key Features:

• Artist: Marc Chagall (1887–1985), a pivotal figure in modern art known for his vibrant, dreamlike imagery.
• Artwork Title(s): "Scene Design for the Finale of the Ballet Aleko," also widely known as A Fantasy of St. Petersburg.
• Subject Matter: The image is a study for the dramatic backdrop of Scene IV of the Aleko ballet, which premiered in 1942. It depicts a white horse leaping across a dark, starry sky above a blood-red cityscape, set against a glowing sun/moon and a luminous chandelier, capturing the surreal and tragic atmosphere of the performance.
• Signature: The piece is reportedly hand-signed in pencil on the bottom right by the artist. Note: Chagall did personally sign limited editions of his prints, although less than 5% of his graphic works are typically signed. The presence of a hand signature significantly enhances the potential value, but expert authentication is highly recommended.
• Medium/Type: This is likely an offset lithograph or a similar authorized reproduction of the original 1942 gouache and watercolor study held by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Other similar prints were published in limited runs in the 1970s and subsequent decades.