“Angel with Sword”

Suite:	La Bible, Verve Vol VIII
Year:	1956
Medium:	lithograph
Dimensions:	35,5 x 26,5cm
Edition size:	6500
Signature:	unsigned
Printer:	Mourlot, Paris
Catalogue raisonné:	Mourlot No. 119

"La Bible, Verve Vol. VIII" (nos. 33 and 34) is a famous double issue of the French art magazine Verve, published in 1956 and entirely devoted to Marc Chagall's Bible illustrations. This lithograph is one of 16 original color lithographs. Published by Editions de la Revue Verve in Paris, under the direction of Tériade. The images of these lithographs focus on figures and stories from the Old Testament, such as Noah, the patriarchs, Moses, David, and the prophets. The lithographs were printed by Mourlot Frères, renowned master printers in Paris. This particular Verve edition is considered one of the most important illustrated books of the 20th century and is highly sought after by collectors. Four years later, a second volume of Bible illustrations followed, entitled Dessins pour la Bible (Verve Vol. X, nos. 37-38).