Paris Through the Window (Paris par la fenêtre)
Print (likely a color lithograph or high-quality offset reproduction) • After Marc Chagall (original 1913 version in the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum)
Style & Movement
Early Modernism; blend of Cubism, Orphism, and Surrealism
Medium & Technique
Lithography on paper; based on a 1913 oil painting. Employs soft color washes and graphic line work to mimic the artist's original painterly style.
Creation Period
Mid to late 20th century (reproduction of a 1913 original)
Dimensions & Format
Small format print, approximately 8 x 10 inches image size; Portrait orientation within a square-ish field.
Subject Description
A dreamlike view of Paris featuring a Janus-faced figure in the lower right, a human-headed cat on a windowsill, and a parachutist near the Eiffel Tower. The composition uses a windows-as-frame device to transition between interior space and the exterior cityscape.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; the image appears clear with some potential light-fading in the reds and yellows typical of framed prints exposed to light.
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $300 (Value depends on whether it is a limited edition numbered lithograph or a decorative poster/print).
Auction Estimate
$30 - $150
Provenance History
Unknown; likely a gallery or museum shop acquisition based on the standard matting and framing style.
Art Historical Significance
The original 1913 work is a seminal piece illustrating Chagall's reaction to the avant-garde movements in Paris while maintaining his own personal, folkloric narrative style. It represents his transition from Russia to the Parisian center of the art world.
Notable Features
Features the iconic 'Janus' self-portrait looking both toward his home in Russia and his new life in France, accented by Cubist-influenced kaleidoscopic color planes in the window frame.
Condition Issues
Possible minor yellowing of the matting; slight color shift in the more fugitive pigments due to UV exposure.
Conservation Recommendations
Use UV-protective glass if re-framed; keep away from direct sunlight and high-humidity areas to prevent foxing.