Les peintres témoins de leur temps - Révolution 1963

This original 1963 poster, created by Marc Chagall for the exhibition Les Peintres Témoins de Leur Temps at the Musée Galliera in Paris, is a masterful blend of political energy and poetic vision. Bearing the subtitle “Révolution,” it embodies the explosive spirit of change as seen through the eyes of one of the 20th century’s most imaginative artists.

Commissioned for a yearly series of exhibitions where artists were invited to reflect on the major themes of their era, this edition took on revolution—not merely as political upheaval, but as an emotional and social tremor. Chagall, ever the storyteller, composed a layered composition pulsing with symbolism: crimson flags, acrobatic figures, and dreamlike creatures dance across the paper, merging historical references with personal mythology.

With bold swathes of red, yellow, and black, the lithograph channels both the chaos and idealism of revolt. In typical Chagall fashion, elements float and tilt within the frame, collapsing traditional perspective and echoing the instability of revolutionary times. A central figure stretches toward a blazing red square, arms wide open, surrounded by musicians, protesters, and animals—a surreal crowd where every face seems to witness a different truth.

The poster is also a historical artifact. Printed under the patronage of President Charles de Gaulle, it marks a moment when the French state actively supported contemporary art as a lens into its cultural consciousness. Held from January 17 to March 17, 1963, the exhibition gathered some of the most influential painters of the day to act as visual historians of a turbulent world.

For collectors, this poster is not only a striking visual statement by Chagall, but also a rare intersection of art, politics, and institutional history. It remains a testament to the enduring power of the artist as a witness—and the image as a revolutionary force.

Exhibition - Musée Galliera

Mourlot

Good condition