Bidspirit auction | Marc Chagall Ltd Ed. Lithograph

Marc Chagall Ltd Ed. Lithograph Mourlot Paris 1964/65 - Large Rare Original Marc Chagall (Russian, 1887 - 1985) limited edition lithographic print / poster entitled PARIS L'OPERA - LE PLAFOND DE CHAGALL (detail) (ROMEO AND JULIET) | Highly sought after print on fine woven paper by Mourlot, Paris 1964/5, from Chagall’s Ceiling of the Paris Opera showing Romeo and Juliet | Professionally matted and framed under glass | Approx. Size: Image: 26” H x 40 ” W (66.04 x 101.6 cm); Frame: | Reference: ”Chagall's Poster's: Catalogue Raisonne” by Charles Sorlier #96; Weill page 358Notes:A limited edition poster was commissioned from Mourlot to celebrate the debut of Chagall's newly painted ceiling mural of the Paris Opera, commissioned by the Paris Opera in 1963. After he saw a performance of Daphnis et Chloe, French minister of culture Andre Malraux had no doubt Chagall was capable of covering the 560-square-meter stretch of ceiling surrounding the opera house’s crystal chandelier. Ignoring the bluster of the arterati, he set Chagall to work painting panels for an enormous removable frame that would cover the original Baroque-style mural by Jules-Eugene Lenepvue. Chagall divided the space into several color zones and wove together scenes and characters from the most beloved operas and ballets. The mural would honor the works of fourteen composers, from Mussorgsky to Mozart and Beethoven to Tchaikovsky. Chagall’s ceiling (or, in French, le plafond de Chagall) was unveiled on September 23, 1964 during the finale of a Mozart symphony, the artist’s favorite composer. As the music swelled the great chandelier lit up to reveal the mural.