Ma Vie (My Life)
Original color lithograph on paper • Marc Chagall
Style & Movement
Surrealism / Modernism (School of Paris)
Medium & Technique
Color lithography; master printmaking using multiple stones for layered ink application including stippling/splatter effects and bold black linework.
Creation Period
Circa 1960s (Published in 1960 for the book 'Marc Chagall' by Lassaigne or part of related lithographic series)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12.5 x 9.5 inches (sheet size); Portrait format
Subject Description
An autobiographical composition featuring a profile face with vibrant blue hair, a donkey/animal head, a circular vignette containing figures, and a book inscribed 'Ma Vie'. The work utilizes Chagall's signature dreamlike iconography symbolizing memory and Vitebsk heritage.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good; colors appear vibrant though there is potential light-strike or minor foxing near the margins obscured by the matting.
Estimated Market Value
$800 - $1,500 USD
Auction Estimate
$600 - $1,200 USD
Provenance History
Likely sourced from a deluxe edition of 'Chagall' by Jacques Lassaigne (1960) published by Maeght Éditeur, Paris. Subsequent private ownership indicated by the traditional gold-gilt framing.
Art Historical Significance
Representational of Chagall's mid-career lithographic peak. It illustrates his ability to distill complex personal narratives into poetic, floating symbols, cementing his role as a master colorist in the 20th-century print revival.
Notable Features
Includes the 'Ma Vie' book inscription which refers to Chagall’s autobiography written in 1922. The print is notable for its energetic 'splatter' technique in the upper right quadrant.
Condition Issues
Visible rippling of the paper suggests it may not be mounted to archival standards; slight yellowing around edges consistent with aged wood-pulp based mats.
Conservation Recommendations
Remount using acid-free archival matting and UV-protective museum glass to prevent color fading. Check for non-archival adhesives on the reverse.