Provenance:

The artist’s estate

“Gouache préparatoire pour la lithographie d’interprétation Sirène au poète” is a quintessential work by Chagall. This gouache served as the foundation for a series of 150 signed lithographs titled The Nice and The Côte d’Azur Series, released in 1967.

Nice and the Côte d’Azur attracted many famous artists during the first half of the 20th century, among them Chagall, Pablo Picasso, and Henri Matisse. They were enticed to the region by the special light – a soft, golden veil that canopied the landscape. Moreover, in Nice, Chagall is recorded to have said he was “born for the second time.”

Within “Gouache préparatoire pour la lithographie d’interprétation Sirène au poète”, the poet and siren are depicted in an embrace, merging into one form. The royal blue landscape below the figures closely resembles Chagall’s lithograph, Sirène et poisson (Sirene & Fish), also part of the later 1967 lithograph release. The beach is adorned with palm trees, one of which has its palm substituted with a bloom of flowers, adding an uncanny dimension to the landscape. As dusk breaks, the ocean reflects a crimson moon back to its counterpart in the sky.


As the original inspiration for one of the lithographs within The Nice and The Côte d’Azur Series, this work vividly portrays Chagall’s perception of the South of France. Its rich imagery and vibrant hues capture the essence of the region, showcasing the beauty and allure that captivated Chagall during his time there.