Book Description

KEYNOTE: This new edition of Chagall's beloved series of prints inspired by the Old Testament recreates the vivid beauty of the artist's inspired work. "I did not see the Bible, I dreamed it .... It has always seemed to me ... the greatest source of poetry of all time." Marc Chagall Marc Chagall was captivated by the Old Testament, and its stories and heroes were a major influence on his work. First published in 1960 as a limited edition artist's book, this series of lithographs depicts some of the Bible's most beloved stories, including the Creation, the expulsion from Paradise, the rivalry of Cain and Abel, Hagar's escape to the desert, and Job's travails. Like all of his work, Chagall's depictions of these stories are filled with colour and bold strokes, symbolism and tradition, humanity and poetry. This new edition of Chagall's masterwork series of drawings adheres to the original edition in structure and design, with marvellously reproduced colour prints interspersed with black-and-white illustrations. The book includes philosopher Gaston Bachelard's original introduction and additional commentary by Beatrice Hernad. An enchanting introduction to the Old Testament, this book makes the perfect gift for Chagall enthusiasts and bibliophiles alike. AUTHOR: Beatrice Hernad is a librarian in the manuscripts department of the Bavarian State Library in Munich, Germany. She has published widely on Russian art and literature. Gaston Bachelard (1884-1962) was a French philosopher, who made contributions in the fields of poetics and the philosophy of science. ILLUSTRATIONS: 124 reproductions *