The Tribe of Naphtali (from The Twelve Jerusalem Windows)
Print; color lithograph on paper • Marc Chagall (1887–1985)
Style & Movement
Modernism / School of Paris / Figurative Surrealism
Medium & Technique
Color lithography on Arches paper, printed by Mourlot Frères, Paris. The technique replicates the vibrant colors and acid-etched lead lines of the original stained glass windows.
Creation Period
1962 (Original windows dedicated 1962; lithograph series produced concurrently)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12.5 x 9.5 inches (image size); vertical arched format (lunette) within a rectangular field.
Subject Description
A representation of the Tribe of Naphtali, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The composition features a central stag/deer, reflecting Gen. 49:21 ('Naphtali is a hind let loose'). The imagery is set within a yellow, radiant background with elements of Jewish iconography and nature, structured by the 'lead lines' of a stained glass design.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Very Good; appearing as a contemporary commercial framing. The colors seem well-preserved though some slight yellowing of the paper is possible if not UV-protected.
Estimated Market Value
$500 - $1,200
Auction Estimate
$300 - $700
Provenance History
Likely sourced from the 'Verve' or 'The Jerusalem Windows' portfolios published by André Sauret. No visible stamps or hand-signatures are apparent in the photo, suggesting it is a plate from the regular edition.
Art Historical Significance
The Jerusalem Windows, created for the Abbell Synagogue at the Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, are among Chagall's most famous public commissions. These lithographs are historically significant as they were overseen by the artist to translate the luminosity of glass into the medium of ink and paper.
Notable Features
Features the distinctive 'leaded' grid-like pattern characteristic of the realization by the Atelier Simon in Reims; bright yellow palette is specific to the Naphtali window's symbolic association with the tribe's vitality.
Condition Issues
Potential light staining or fading if exposed to UV; the current modern frame and matting appear to protect the edges, but the acidity of the backing materials is unknown.
Conservation Recommendations
Ensure the use of acid-free, museum-quality matting and UV-protective glazing. Maintain a stable environment with 40-50% humidity to prevent paper cockling or foxing.