Bataille de Fleurs (Carnaval of Flowers)

Marc Chagall’s "Bataille de Fleurs (Carnaval of Flowers)" (1967) is a radiant color lithograph from the "Nice and the Côte d’Azur" series, celebrating the splendor and imagination of the annual Nice Carnival’s famed "Battle of the Flowers." The composition features horse-drawn floats crafted from vivid floral arrangements, seemingly soaring through a brilliant blue sky. Below, a lively throng painted in reds, blues, yellows, and pinks gathers to witness the spectacle, conveying a sense of joyous movement and shared festivity that is emblematic of Chagall’s lyrical touch. One couple, near the stone wall, is highlighted in an embrace, representing themes of love and celebration set against the festive cityscape of Nice.

Artistic and Social Context

Created in collaboration with Charles Sorlier as part of a portfolio honoring the French Riviera, "Bataille de Fleurs" is one of 12 lithographs from the "Nice and the Côte d’Azur" suite. The work romanticizes the annual flower parade that takes place along the Promenade des Anglais, a beloved tradition marking the end of winter and the arrival of spring. Chagall’s depiction transforms the procession into a magical vision, blending reality with fantasy, and highlights the artist’s ongoing fascination with festivals, folklore, and the beauty of everyday life.

Interpretation and Meaning

This lithograph immerses the viewer in a dreamlike celebration, where nature and community come alive through the poetry of Chagall’s palette. The floating floral floats and flying horses symbolize freedom, imagination, and the transformative power of art. The couple in the foreground serves as a focal point for intimacy amid communal joy, underscoring Chagall’s enduring themes of love and human connection, even within public festivity.

Size and Edition

The image area measures approximately 24 7/16 x 18 inches (62 x 45.8 cm), with the sheet size at 29 9/16 x 20 11/16 inches (75 x 52.5 cm). "Bataille de Fleurs" is from an edition of 150, hand-signed by Chagall in the lower right margin, with additional Roman numeral and artist’s proof editions also extant