Enlèvement de Chloé (Chloe is carried off by the Methymneans)
by Marc Chagall
Description
This image is Marc Chagall’s "Enlèvement de Chloé" ("Chloe is carried off by the Methymneans"), a color lithograph from his celebrated "Daphnis and Chloe" suite (1961). It depicts a vivid, chaotic scene from the ancient romance: Chloé’s dramatic abduction by the Methymneans, rendered in Chagall’s magical palette of electric blues, yellows, reds, and greens. The composition is crowded with dynamic human and animal figures—warriors, celebrants, horses, and the central lovers—caught in swirling motion across the Grecian landscape. In the midst of turmoil, Daphnis and Chloé embrace, glowing tenderly amid commotion, exemplifying Chagall’s unique fusion of passion and lyricism.
Artistic and Social Context
Created for the illustrated book "Daphnis and Chloe" at the behest of publisher Tériade, the lithograph is one of 42 images visualizing scenes from Longus’s ancient Greek novel. Chagall’s suite celebrates love’s resilience amidst adversity, drawing on the artist’s travels through Greece for inspiration. Working with master printer Charles Sorlier, Chagall pushed lithography’s boundaries, using 20–25 colors per print and layering tones for ethereal effect. "Enlèvement de Chloé" captures the dangers and longing of youthful love, the tumult of fate, and the triumph of hope.
Interpretation and Meaning
Chagall’s depiction transforms tragedy into poetic reverie: the lovers’ embrace stands out as a luminous sanctuary against the surrounding chaos. The work balances exuberant movement and intimate emotion, reflecting the mythical and universal themes of the "Daphnis and Chloe" story. Animal and pastoral motifs further evoke the Mediterranean landscape, where hardship and beauty coexist.
Size and Edition
The lithograph measures approximately 16 1/2 x 25 inches (42 x 63.5 cm). It is part of the book edition of 270, signed in the print but not individually hand-signed. "Enlèvement de Chloé" is a cornerstone of Chagall’s Daphnis and Chloe suite, prized for its vivid colors and passionate imagery.
