The Ferris Wheel (La Grande Roue)
Painting on canvas • Marc Chagall (1887–1985)
Style & Movement
Early Modernism; a synthesis of Fauvist color, Cubist fragmentation, and Expressionist emotion (School of Paris).
Medium & Technique
Oil and possibly gouache on canvas; expressive brushwork with impasto, layering of vibrant pigments, and visible underdrawing in areas to define geometric structures.
Creation Period
circa 1911-1912
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 45 x 60 cm; landscape format.
Subject Description
A dynamic depiction of the 'Grande Roue de Paris' (the historical giant ferris wheel built for the 1900 World Exposition) alongside the Eiffel Tower. The composition uses a circular motif that dominates the canvas, symbolizing modernity, movement, and the artist's first encounter with the mechanical wonders of Paris.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the work appears stable with healthy paint film and vibrant color retention typical of museum-quality preservation.
Estimated Market Value
$5,000,000 - $8,000,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$4,000,000 - $6,000,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely held in private European collections before entering a public institution or major gallery. Inscriptions on the lower right suggest historical cataloging from the artist's early Parisian years.
Art Historical Significance
Highly significant as it represents Chagall's transformative 'first Paris period' (1910-1914). It captures the transition from his Russian folk roots to the avant-garde influences of Delaunay and the Cubists, marking a pivotal moment in the development of 20th-century color theory.
Notable Features
Features the signature 'Marc Chagall' and date '1911-12' in the bottom right corner. The painting is housed in a carved gilt wood frame with a rope-twist pattern which is likely a later addition but complements the era's gallery aesthetic.
Condition Issues
Minor surface craquelure consistent with age, slight yellowing of varnish, and faint stretcher bar marks. No major losses or visible overpainting.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain in a climate-controlled environment with UV-filtered lighting. Periodic surface cleaning by a professional Conservator of Paintings and monitoring of the tension on the original canvas.