Collector's Guide to Marc Chagall | Hidden Gallery

Marc Chagall (1887-1985) was a pioneering modernist master whose poetic, dreamlike imagery captured the whimsy and mysticism of Russian folklore and Jewish culture.

One of the key figures of modernism, Chagall's work resists easy categorisation. Over a life spanning almost a century, he explored a wide range of media including painting, ceramics, illustration, stained glass and stage design. His work as a printmaker constitutes a flowering of romantic expression unmatched in the 20th century. During his lifetime he produced over a thousand lithographs and more than five hundred etchings. Each is a perfect distillation of the artist's profound sensitivity to the poetry of daily life.

Born in Russia to a deeply religious Jewish family, Chagall's youth involved extensive travel to St. Petersburg, Moscow, Paris, his native Vitebsk, and Berlin. Settling in Paris in 1923, he established a reputation as one of France's foremost artists, working closely with the legendary dealer Ambroise Vollard to create important etching suites illustrating works like Gogol's "Dead Souls" and the Bible.
There's nobody else in art history quite like Chagall. As a colourist and visual poet he remains unsurpassed. Picasso, not a man to lavish praise upon rivals, once said ‘I don’t know where he gets those images from; he must have an angel in his head.’
Why Collect Chagall?

"Something would have been lacking in my life if...I had not at a certain stage become involved in engraving and lithography. Each time I had a lithographic stone or a copper plate in my hands, I felt that I was touching a talisman to which I could entrust all my sorrows and all my joys." - Chagall
With Chagall, his works offer a truly singular perspective that constantly surprises and delights. As his long-time collaborator Charles Sorlier described, "With Chagall, nothing is quite as we expect it's going to be. He has the rare ability to start each morning afresh. For him, each day is the first day, each flower the most brilliant, each fruit the sweetest..." Chagall imbued even the simplest subjects with a sense of wonderment and poetry through his imaginative, dreamlike style that blends fantasy and reality.

His lithographs in particular capture this whimsical spirit to perfection. Sorlier witnessed Chagall's lithographic process first-hand, marvelling "With every stone, lithography is born again...I have had the rare privilege of seeing Chagall at work, and it cannot be denied that, at times, it seems as if an angel has entered the workshop." Chagall's vibrant, jewel-toned lithographs offer a direct expression of his visionary approach, where each print feels imbued with fresh creativity.

Chagall was an exacting colourist who strove for perfection. He would begin a lithograph by drawing his design in black onto a stone or zinc plate. After printing several proofs, he would experiment with colour by adding ink washes and touches of pastel. Once satisfied he would test various colour options, making minute alterations to each tone until it met with his exacting standards. Some of Chagall’s lithographs contain as many as twenty-five unique colours. This was extraordinarily labour intensive. As an example, the Daphnis and Chloé portfolio – one of Chagall’s most acclaimed and dazzling suites – required around one thousand individual printing plates for just forty-two lithographs.
Chagall's biography is an incredible journey across some of the most tumultuous years in human history.
- Born in a part of the Russian Empire that is now Belarus, he studied in St Petersburg from the age of 19.
- In 1910 he moved to Paris, where he met Picasso and experimented briefly with Cubism.
- While visiting his fiancee in Belarus, the First World War broke out and prevented Chagall from returning to Paris.
- Following the Russian revolution, he was appointed Commissar for Arts in his hometown of Vitebsk.
- He was finally able to return to Paris in 1923.
- Following years of great acclaim, he narrowly escaped occupied France in 1941, remaining in exile in New York until 1948.
- His career in the post-War years was a dazzling eruption of kaleidoscopic painting, printmaking and ceramics that reflected his joy in what he called “the light of freedom”. He made the South of France his home and his subject.
- He died at the age of 97 in 1985, the last survivor of the first generation of European Modernists.
Few artists live such dense and moving lives, and every moment of this incredible story finds its way into Chagall’s art. Beyond their artistic merit, Chagall's lithographs are also wise investments for collectors.
The surrealist André Breton said of Chagall that “no work was ever so magical.” Picasso claimed that “when Matisse dies, Chagall will be the only painter left who understands what colour really is.” Chagall’s lasting popularity and influence, from his early days in Paris alongside the avant-garde to his late-career innovations with large-scale lithographs, ensure continued demand. Chagall's prints provide an accessible entry point to own one of modernism's most distinctive voices at reasonable prices compared to his paintings.
Whether you seek the poetry of his romantic narratives, the mysticism of his Bible illustrations, the spectacle of his circus imagery, or the pure imaginative delight of his village scenes, Chagall's lithographs offer a perfect encapsulation of his singular talents. As Sorlier's quote conveys, the artist's childlike sense of wonder and ability to make "lithography born again" with each print make him a highly covetable force in 20th century art.
Which Chagall?

When producing lithographs, the artist worked with some of the greatest workshops of the 20th century, including Atelier Mourlot, Maeght Editeur, and Teriade. These long-term collaborations and friendships resulted in the creation of some of the greatest prints in the history of Modern art. Stick to works produced with these legendary workshops. One of Chagall’s greatest friends and collaborators was Charles Sorlier. Recognising his skill, Chagall gave him permission to create lithographs after his unique artworks, from paintings to stained-glass windows. These lithographs often feature an inscription by Sorlier at the bottom of the image. They are among Chagall’s most desirable editions.
Chagall’s career in lithography began in earnest with Four Tales from the Arabian Nights, a series of twelve prints produced in 1948. His career is punctuated by several major lithographic projects, including The Bible (1956), Daphnis and Chloé (1956-61), Drawings for The Bible (1960) Le Cirque (1967), ‘L’Odyssée (1975) and The Fourteen (1980). Works from any of these series are highly desirable. Chagall also produced hundreds of independent images around these portfolios. Many of them feature the familiar motifs of musicians, lovers in flight, lush plant life and colourful animals. His designs for the Jerusalem Windows are also some of the most popular works in our collection. Works that capture the dreamlike romance and magic of Chagall’s vision will always be a superb addition to any collection.
Price and Value

As one of the most recognised figures in Modern art, Chagall has long been a stalwart of museum collections and international auctions. He is firmly established as a Blue-chip artist. The record price paid for one of his paintings is $28.4 million, set in 2017. At auction, Chagall's lithographs and etchings range from £2,000 for unsigned works to over £200,000 for rare, hand-coloured pieces or complete portfolios.

You don’t need to be a millionaire to own a Chagall though. At Hidden, you can find a curated selection of authentic Chagall prints starting at £1,050.

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PRACTICAL TIPS ON PURCHASING A CHAGALL
Buy from a Reputable Source

When purchasing an artwork, it's crucial to buy from a reputable source. Imagine buying a print for £50,000, only to discover years later that the signature was faked, or the print itself was counterfeit. Issues like these are prevalent; for instance, Salvador Dali signed thousands of blank sheets, leading to numerous forgeries.

 

Additionally, the condition of the artwork is paramount. A faded image, such as many of Chagall's lithographs affected by sunlight, or a print with trimmed margins can significantly reduce its value. Even minor alterations can have catastrophic effects on an artwork's worth.

 

Without expertise, collectors might overlook these issues. If you purchase a problem artwork at auction, 'caveat emptor' applies, and getting your money back is unlikely. To avoid these pitfalls, buying from a reputable dealer or gallery is essential. Ensure they have genuine expertise, a proven track record, and reliable customer support. This approach helps protect your investment and provides assurance for future valuations or resale.
Other things to consider

Authenticity: Ensure the piece is authenticated by a reliable source. Detailed records have been compiled of Chagall’s etchings, lithographs, paintings and drawings. The catalogue of Chagall’s lithographs alone runs to six volumes published between 1960-86. Here at Hidden we have an extensive library of catalogues raisonnés and we do our homework.

 

Condition: The condition of the artwork significantly affects its value. Unfortunately, paper is a very fragile material. Look for pieces that have been well-preserved. If the work has been framed, ensure that it is to conservation standards using archival materials. This will ensure that your piece is protected for years to come.  Chagall was an incredibly sensitive colourist, with his lithographs often featuring up to twenty-five unique colours. Some of these delicate tones are susceptible to fading when not protected by anti-UV glass, and it’s important to make sure that a Chagall print still looks the way the artist intended it to.

 

Edition Size: For prints, the size of the edition can impact its value. Smaller editions are generally more desirable and command higher prices due to their scarcity. Remember that regardless of the size of the published edition, it's likely that some examples will have been damaged or lost during the decades since they were produced. What was once, say, an edition of fifty may not be so today.

 

Signature: Hand-signed pieces are generally (although not always) more desirable.

 

Historical Significance: The subject matter of any given image will have an effect on its value. Works that reflect pivotal moments in Chagall’s career or art history tend to fetch higher prices.
Hidden's Chagall Collection

At Hidden, we are passionate about preserving Chagall's lasting legacy by offering a premier collection of his original prints. Our experts thoroughly vet and document every work to guarantee authenticity and quality.

"With every stone, lithography is born again...I have had the rare privilege of seeing Chagall at work, and it cannot be denied that, at times, it seems as if an angel has entered the workshop." - Charles Sorlier

Whether you seek the mysticism of his Bible illustrations, the poetry of his Paris scenes, the magic of his circus imagery, or the tenderness of his romantic narratives, Hidden is your trusted source for building an exceptional Chagall portfolio. Explore our Chagall works to begin or expand your investment today.

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