L'Écuyère (The Horse Rider)
Print on paper; specifically an original color lithograph • Marc Chagall (1887–1985)
Style & Movement
Modernism / School of Paris (Surrealist and Expressionist influences)
Medium & Technique
Color lithography. The technique involves drawing with greasy crayons on limestone or metal plates, creating a painterly effect with saturated hues and soft, chalk-like textures.
Creation Period
1960s-1970s; consistently attributed to Marc Chagall's mature career focusing on circus themes.
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 x 9 inches (viewable image); Portrait format.
Subject Description
A classic Chagall circus scene featuring a female equestrian performer (écuyère) standing on a horse. She is surrounded by musicians, clowns, a bouquet of flowers, and a crescent moon. The composition uses dream-like spatial logic and vibrant primary colors typical of Chagall's iconography.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good. The paper appears stable, though there is slight visible yellowing/toning around the edges consistent with age and exposure to light.
Estimated Market Value
$1,500 - $3,500 (Depending on whether it is a signed/numbered edition or a plate-signed lithograph from a series like 'The Circus').
Auction Estimate
$1,200 - $2,500
Provenance History
Unknown gallery or private collection. The piece bears a signature in the lower right, likely a printed signature or an editioned pencil signature.
Art Historical Significance
Chagall's circus series represents his fascination with the 'tragic joy' of performance. The circus theme allowed him to explore movement, levitation, and the blur between reality and fantasy, making these some of his most sought-after graphic works.
Notable Features
Signature in the lower right corner; characteristic thick crayon-like texture of lithographic ink; recurring motifs of the floating horse and the circus musician.
Condition Issues
Possible light-burn from non-acid-free matting; slight fading of the blue and red pigments due to UV exposure; minor rippling of the paper at the top edge.
Conservation Recommendations
Re-frame using museum-grade UV-protective glass and acid-free archival matting to prevent further toning and preserve pigment intensity.