Daphnis and Chloe

Marc Chagall’s "Daphnis and Chloe" (most notably the 42-color lithograph series, 1957–1960; published 1961) is a poetic and radiant exploration of the classic Greek romance by Longus. Across these luminous images, Chagall brings to life the journey of two orphaned shepherd children—Daphnis and Chloe—whose innocent love is tested by desire, jealousy, abduction, and finally, joyful reunion and marriage. Saturated with vibrant blues, violets, ochres, and rosy hues, the compositions float between dream and reality, often showing the lovers in passionate embrace, set amid whimsical flocks, mythic creatures, and sun-drenched Mediterranean landscapes. Chagall’s imagery transforms the ancient narrative into a celebration of youthful desire, resilience, and the power of love to overcome adversity.

Artistic and Social Context Chagall began the "Daphnis and Chloe" series at the invitation of publisher Tériade while in his mid-fifties, just after remarrying. To capture the emotional vibrancy of Longus’s story, he traveled through Greece, sketching and absorbing the color and atmosphere of Delphi, Athens, Lesbos, and Poros. Working closely with master printer Charles Sorlier and lithographer Fernand Mourlot, Chagall employed as many as 25 colors in a single lithograph—an unprecedented technical feat. The suite reflects Chagall’s universal themes of love, innocence, and transformation, while referencing the artist’s own experience of renewal and joy during this period of his life. Issued in a limited edition by Tériade in Paris, the complete "Daphnis and Chloe" portfolio is revered as one of the most compelling achievements in twentieth-century printmaking.

Interpretation and Meaning Chagall’s vision of "Daphnis and Chloe" fuses ancient Greek myth, personal lyricism, and chromatic exuberance. The recurring motifs—embracing lovers swooning above the luminous landscape, shepherds, musicians, and sacred animals—assert a faith in the transformative magic of love. The figures’ floating postures echo Chagall’s lifelong fascination with dreams, folklore, and the possibility of flight, linking the tale’s pastoral pleasures to spiritual elevation and hope. The suite’s joyous palette and lyrical energy invite viewers into a world where love, art, and memory conspire to transcend the trials of earthly existence.

Size Individual lithographs from "Daphnis and Chloe" generally measure about 42 × 32 cm (16.5 × 12.5 inches) for the image area and larger for the sheet, varying by plate and edition.