Marc Chagall

The complete deluxe album comprising 50 etchings with aquatint printed in colours, 1975-76, including the separate suite of 25 etchings each signed in pencil and numbered IV/IV (one of four personal copies belonging to Aragon aside from the total edition of 225), and 25 etchings with the text, with title-page, text (with annotations in ink), and justification, this copy signed in ball-point pen by the artist, the 'Louis' crossed out by Aragon on the justification page, the 25 signed impressions on Japon impérial paper, the rest on BFK Rives wove paper with ME watermark, loose in original wrappers, in cloth covered box as issued

Ex coll. Louis Aragon

Gift from the author to Maria Macorig (Aragon's housekeeper from 1950s to his death in 1982); Purchased by Macorig's son-in-law circa 1981

With full margins, in good condition apart from very occasional stray fox marks on the deluxe edition etchings, two soft handling creases on only the first etching on Rives, the text annotated in grey ink on pages 21 and 41, in red marker on 64, 107 and 112, the wrappers with areas of slight soiling, the cloth-covered box with two stray ink marks and occasional soiling, slight wear at corners, unframed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This album was one of four personal copies belonging to Aragon as author of the text. In keeping with the views of the Surrealist movement, Aragon had particular ideas regarding layout and spelling and was displeased with several of the publisher's edits.  Therefore, this album contains Aragon's annotations. On the justification page he wanted it to read only "Aragon", not "Louis Aragon". In protest he crossed out "Louis" and did not sign this copy. 

In a statement dated 10 May 1978 Aragon declared the art and objects belonging to himself and Elsa in Maria Macorig's Paris and Italian homes, gifts from the artist and his wife. Aragon's trusted housekeeper for roughly thirty years, Maria experienced the inner circle of the Paris artworld of the time. Through her employer, she met Picasso, Max Ernst, André Masson, and Werner Spieß, author of the Picasso Sculpture catalogue raisonné and former director of the Centre Pompidou. Aragon's generosity, both in his gifts and by introducing Maria to his collaborators and friends, suggests a deep level of respect and appreciation in their relationship.