Vitraux pour Jérusalem 1962

This vibrant lithograph created in 1962 by Marc Chagall belongs to the celebrated portfolio Vitraux pour Jérusalem (Windows for Jerusalem), a project inspired by Chagall’s monumental stained-glass windows designed for the Hadassah Medical Center Synagogue. The lithograph was published in Monte Carlo by André Sauret and printed by the renowned Parisian workshop Atelier Mourlot, catalogued as Mourlot 365.

The composition reflects Chagall’s unique poetic universe. Against a radiant red background, fantastical figures emerge in a dreamlike arrangement: a small goat-like creature climbs upon a sculptural form while a large, expressive bird head turns outward. These symbolic animals and whimsical shapes evoke themes frequently found in Chagall’s art—biblical narratives, folklore2, spirituality, and imagination. The lively splashes of color and fluid black lines create a sense of movement reminiscent of stained glass illuminated by light.

The lithograph is directly connected to Chagall’s famous Jerusalem Windows, a cycle of twelve stained-glass windows completed between 1960 and 1962. Each window represented one of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, combining vivid color and symbolic imagery to celebrate Jewish history and identity. To accompany the project, Chagall collaborated with André Sauret on an illustrated publication featuring lithographs that translated the luminous language of stained glass into the medium of print.

Printed by Atelier Mourlot, the lithographs showcase the technical mastery of the studio that worked closely with many of the twentieth century’s greatest artists. Chagall personally supervised the printing process to ensure that the rich textures and vibrant palette captured the same emotional intensity as his glass works.

Today, prints from the Vitraux pour Jérusalem portfolio are highly sought after by collectors. They represent a pivotal moment in Chagall’s career, when his lifelong exploration of color, symbolism, and spirituality found monumental expression in one of the most celebrated stained-glass projects of the twentieth century.

Original Lithograph

Religion - Israel

Published by André Sauret in Monte Carlo - Mourlot Reference 365

Printed by Mourlot in Paris

Very good condition