Ludwig Meidner Art

This exquisite lithograph by Marc Chagall (1887–1985), titled Paradise I (Paradise I), from Marc Chagall, Dessins Pour La Bible (Drawings for the Bible), Verve: Revue Artistique et Litteraire, Vol. X, No. 37-38, originates from the July 29, 1960 issue published by Editions de la revue Verve, Paris, under the direction of Teriade, Editeur, Paris, and printed by Mourlot Freres, Paris, 1960. This visionary composition reflects Chagall’s poetic interpretation of the biblical paradise, evoking a realm of harmony, innocence, and divine presence through his luminous color and dreamlike symbolism. The flowing forms and radiant imagery convey a sense of spiritual unity and transcendence, capturing the timeless serenity and mystical beauty of Eden within Chagall’s distinctive visual language. Infused with movement and lyricism, the work transforms sacred narrative into a meditative vision of paradise and the enduring connection between humanity and the divine. The piece forms part of Chagall’s celebrated series of lithographs and drawings created for Dessins Pour La Bible, a monumental project uniting art, scripture, and mysticism in one of the artist’s most important achievements. Executed as a lithograph on velin du Marais paper, this work measures 14 x 10.5 inches (35.56 x 26.67 cm). Unsigned and unnumbered as issued. The edition exemplifies the superb craftsmanship of the Mourlot Freres atelier, renowned for its collaborations with the greatest modern masters of the 20th century. Artwork Details: Artist: Marc Chagall (1887–1985) Title: Paradise I (Paradise I), from Marc Chagall, Dessins Pour La Bible (Drawings for the Bible), Verve: Revue Artistique et Litteraire, Vol. X, No. 37-38, July 29, 1960 Medium: Lithograph on velin du Marais paper Dimensions: 14 x 10.5 inches (35.56 x 26.67 cm) Inscription: Unsigned and unnumbered as issued Date: 1960 Publisher: Editions de la revue Verve, Paris, under the direction of Teriade, Editeur, Paris Printer: Mourlot Freres, Paris Catalogue raisonne references: Chagall, Marc, et al. Chagall Lithographe. Andre Sauret, 1960-1986, illustration 230-276. Cramer, Patrick, and Meret Meyer. Marc Chagall: Catalogue Raisonne des Livres Illustres. P. Cramer ed., 1995, illustration 42. Condition: Well preserved, consistent with age and medium Provenance: From Marc Chagall, Dessins Pour La Bible (Drawings for the Bible), Verve: Revue Artistique et Litteraire, Vol. X, No. 37-38, published by Editions de la revue Verve, Paris, 1960 Notes: Excerpted from the folio (translated from French), This double issue of Verve includes the drawings that Marc Chagall executed in 1958 and 1959 on biblical themes that he had not generally dealt with in his illustration for the Bible, engraved with etching and which were included in issue 33/34 of Verve. This album has 96 renderings in black and 24 color litbographies as well as the cover that were specially made for this album. It was completed printing on July 29, 1960 by Draeger Freres for black gravures and by Mourlot Freres for color lithography. About the Publication: Marc Chagall, Dessins Pour La Bible (Drawings for the Bible), published as Verve Vol. X, No. 37-38 on July 29, 1960, represents a significant continuation and expansion of Chagall’s profound engagement with biblical imagery and spiritual narrative. Conceived and directed by the visionary publisher Teriade, the publication builds upon the earlier Verve issue devoted to Chagall’s Bible illustrations by presenting a new body of work executed in 1958 and 1959, exploring themes and episodes that had not been fully addressed in the initial series. Printed in Paris by Draeger Freres for black gravures and Mourlot Freres for color lithography, the edition demonstrates an exceptional level of technical refinement and artistic collaboration. The publication includes an extensive suite of ninety six black reproductions and twenty four color lithographs, as well as specially created cover imagery, reflecting Chagall’s continued innovation in translating sacred themes into graphic form. As part of the broader tradition of Verve, one of the most important artistic and literary publications of the twentieth century, this issue exemplifies the fusion of text, image, and craftsmanship at the highest level. Today, Verve Vol. X, No. 37-38 stands as a major achievement within Chagall’s graphic oeuvre, reaffirming his role as one of the foremost interpreters of biblical narrative in modern art. About the Artist: Marc Chagall (1887–1985) was a Belarus-born French painter, printmaker, and designer whose visionary imagination, radiant color, and deeply poetic symbolism made him one of the most beloved and influential artists of the 20th century. Rooted in the imagery of his Jewish heritage and the memories of his childhood in Vitebsk, Chagall’s art wove together themes of faith, love, folklore, and fantasy with a dreamlike modern sensibility. His unique style merging elements of Cubism, Fauvism, Expressionism, and Surrealism defied categorization, transforming ordinary scenes into lyrical meditations on memory and emotion. Influenced by Russian icon painting, medieval religious art, and the modern innovations of artists such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Georges Braque, Chagall developed a profoundly personal visual language filled with floating figures, vibrant animals, musicians, and lovers that symbolized the transcendent power of imagination and love. During his early years in Paris, he became an integral part of the Ecole de Paris circle, forming friendships with Amedeo Modigliani, Fernand Leger, and Sonia Delaunay, and his creative spirit resonated with that of his peers and successors Alexander Calder, Alberto Giacometti, Salvador Dali, Joan Miro, Wassily Kandinsky, Marcel Duchamp, and Man Ray, artists who sought to push the boundaries of perception, emotion, and form. Over a prolific career that spanned painting, printmaking, stained glass, ceramics, and stage design, Chagall brought an unparalleled poetic sensibility to modern art, infusing even the most abstract subjects with human warmth and spiritual depth. His works are held in the most prestigious museums around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Centre Pompidou, the Tate, and the Guggenheim, where they continue to inspire generations of artists and collectors. The highest price ever paid for a Marc Chagall artwork is approximately 28.5 million USD, achieved in 2017 at Sotheby’s New York for Les Amoureux (1928). Marc Chagall Paradise...

James Whistler (1834-1903), The Mill, 1889, etching and drypoint, signed in pencil with the butterfly on the tab and inscribed “imp”, and inscribed “first state” (twice) and annotated “Wunderlich” and signed again with the butterfly verso. Reference: Kennedy 413, first state (of 5). Glasgow 457, second state (of 6; see discussion below) (cf. Margaret F. MacDonald, Grischka Petri, Meg Hausberg, and Joanna Meacock, James McNeill Whistler: The Etchings, a catalogue raisonné, University of Glasgow, 2011) On laid paper, in very good condition, trimmed just outside of the platemark all around except for the tab by the artist, 6 1/4 x 9 3/8 inches. A very fine impression of this great rarity, printed in black/brown ink with a slight veil of plate tone. provenance: H. Wunderlich & Co., New York Louis B. Dailey, New York (Lugt 4500) sale, Sotheby’s, New York, October 31, 2003, lot 69 literature; Neue Lagerliste 122: James McNeill Whistler – Etchings...

James Whistler (1834-1903), J.H. Woods’ Fruit Shop, Chelsea, etching and drypoint, 1887-88. Signed with the butterfly on the tab and annotated “imp,” also signed with the butterfly in pencil verso and numbered “1”. References: Kennedy 265 second state (of 2), Glasgow 327 second state (of 4). Trimmed by the artist around the plate mark except for the tab, in excellent condition. Printed in black ink on ivory laid paper, 3 3/4 x 5 1/8 inches. A fine impression of this great rarity; the print was never published. Glasgow accounts for four impressions. watermark: partial arms of Amsterdam(cf. Spink/Stratis/Tedeschi, watermark nos. 12ff.) This is before the third state in which heavy shading was added around the woman at the center, and the heads of figures at right and left of the figure are defined. In Glasgow’s fourth state the shading and the figure were removed; no impression is known of this state, but the state is inferred from the cancelled plate. According to Glasgow “Joseph Henry Wood had a greengrocer’s shop at 1 Park Walk...

A stylish, vintage, 1940s woman's fashion study featuring an elegant graphic design for a portfolio cover featuring ladies resort clothes by Hattie Carnegie. Artwork size: 11 x 8...

Expressionist Portrait of a Man in a Suit in Pastel on Paper Moody portrait of a man with dark hair by an unknown artist (20th Century). The man is shown with an elongated face and ...

Original lithograph of Josef Fenneker’s German Expressionist poster design for the 1919 silent film Die Prostitution starring Anita Berber ...

This 1991 drawing presents a female figure rendered with unusual freedom and urgency, built from layered contour lines, looping marks, and repeated adjustments in black ink and ballp...

Created in 1991, this expressive ink on paper by Menachem Gueffen depicts a seated female figure rendered through a bold and highly personal graphic language. Strong black lines defi...

Alberto Giacometti, Swiss (1901 - 1966) - Artist Studio from Derriere Le Miroir no. 127, Year: 1961, Medium: Lithograph, Edition: ~2500, Size: 15 x 11 in. (38.1 x 27.94 cm), Publ...

Artist: Leonard Baskin Title: Chief American Horse - Oglalla Sioux Year: 1973 Medium: Lithograph, Signed and Numbered in pencil Edition: 100 Size: 41 x 30 inches

Wolf Kahn Study of a Child Signed lower right Pastel on paper 10 x 13 inches An important member of the second generation New York School, Wolf Kahn is renowned for his luminous, r...

Alberto Giacometti, Swiss (1901 - 1966) - Seated Figure Study Derriere Le Miroir no. 127, Year: 1961, Medium: Lithograph, Edition: ~2500, Size: 15 x 11 in. (38.1 x 27.94 cm), Pub...