A rare and desired Marc Chagall (French/Russian, 1887–1985) - Assuérus chasse Vasthi (Ahasuerus Sends Vasthi Away) Referenced Mourlot Catalogue: 251 This lithograph as issued in 1956 by Verve for the hardcover issue THE BIBLE. Most of the etchings for The Bible were executed by Chagall between 1931 and 1939, with the last pieces completed between 1952 and 1956. In 1956 The Bible was issued in an edition of 275 signed and numbered books/portfolios and 20 hors commerce. There are also 100 sets of the etchings with hand-coloring on paper with large margins, each of which is numbered and initialed in pencil by Chagall. Assuérus chasse Vasthi (Ahasuerus send Vasthi Away): Refers to Esther 1:10-12: “On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus,; to bring Queen Vashti before the king with her royal crown in order to display her beauty to the people and the princes, for she was beautiful.; But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command delivered by the eunuchs. Then the king became very angry and his wrath burned within him.” From the Book of Esther, this part tells the story of Vasthi, the wife of King Ahasuerus who was put away for refusing to exhibit herself at a royal banquet. The unsigned artwork from the folio is 261mm x 355mm Frame shows it's age