Lot Essay
The 1930s were a period of great creativity for Chagall. He spent months in the South of France and Italy. His work of the period was described by Franz Meyer: "The artistic experience ...(was) of southern nature, the landscape, light and air of Provence and Italy...Chagall's pictures once again overflow with material sensuousness...Now all is relaxed and placid. The evening warmth of the south encompasses man and beast, and their life force...is revealed in the calm, happy life of the body. Rustic motifs are present...the thatched roofs, the trees, the dark hills and fields...are part of a scene that offers infinite scope for a happy life...Even the growth of the trees, from trunk to finely rounded leaves is governed by a happy, naturally relaxed force". (F. Meyer, Chagall, New York, 1964, pp. 421-422).
Chagall depicted animals throughout his career. Especially well-known are his illustrations for the Fables de la Fontaine commissioned by Vollard. La chèvre et le coq is executed in a very similar vein.
Chagall depicted animals throughout his career. Especially well-known are his illustrations for the Fables de la Fontaine commissioned by Vollard. La chèvre et le coq is executed in a very similar vein.