CHAGALL, Marc (1887-1985) et LONGUS (fin du IIe-debut... Lot n° 176

++ Daphnis & Chloé. Original lithographs by Marc Chagall. Paris : Tériade, 1961. Marc Chagall's engraved masterpiece. In 1939, Tériade, a young publisher of Greek origin who had worked with Skira, asked Chagall to illustrate Longus's famous novel Daphins & Chloé. The artist refused, not wishing to compete with the edition published by Vollard in 1902 with engravings by Bonnard. Following Bonnard's death in 1952, Chagall finally accepted the project. Between 1952 and 1954, he made several trips to Greece to immerse himself in the surroundings, discover the landscapes and carry out the preparatory work. It took Chagall four years to produce the 42 lithographs for the book. Up to 25 colors were used for each illustration, each requiring a separate pass. Daphnis & Chloé is generally and rightly regarded as his engraved masterpiece. A very fresh Kettaneh copy, in a magnificent mosaic binding by Paul Bonet. The bookbinder, a fine connoisseur, took care to bind the two volumes by mitering the lithographs in order to preserve the dimensions and avoid any trimming that would affect the illustration. Cramer, Chagall, 46; Bonet, Carnets, 1474 and 1480. 2 folio volumes (418 x 340 mm). Edition of 270 copies on Arches vellum, this one no. 70. Entirely mounted on tabs. Illustrated with 42 original color lithographs, including the frontispiece and 16 on double page. (Some transfers to text pages). Binding signed Paul Bonet, dated 1964: "sky-blue morocco, a vertical silhouette mosaicked with box in pastel shades standing out against the morocco background, itself mosaicked with brightly colored morocco cloud shapes (Chagall range)", mouse suede linings, second volume with very slight variants, gilt edges on witnesses, covers and spines preserved, matching folders and slipcases (spines very slightly faded, spines of folders faded and slipcases rubbed). Provenance: Francis Kettaneh (bookplate). Chagall's engraved masterpiece. Daphnis & Chloe illustrated with 42 original lithographs by Chagall, including 16 on double-page. Bright and fresh copy, in an artistic binding by Paul Bonet, from the collection of Francis Kettaneh. 44 x 37 x 12 cm. (2) To bid, please consult the "Sales information" section.