AI Appraisal Estimate

This is a color lithograph on paper attributed to the renowned Modernist artist Marc Chagall, titled 'Moses and the Burning Bush'. The artwork is part of Chagall's 'The Story of Exodus' series, published in 1966 by Mouriot in Paris. The composition features Moses kneeling in a dark robe before the vibrant, fiery reds and yellows of the burning bush. At the top left, a radiant sun-like orb contains the Hebrew Tetragrammaton (YHWH), and a celestial angel figure floats above the scene. The lithograph displays Chagall's characteristic dreamlike, expressionistic style with loose brushstrokes and a vivid palette. The work is signed in the lower right margin in pencil 'Marc Chagall' and bears an edition number in the lower left corner (likely from the edition of 250 on Arches paper). The piece is professionally framed with a layered matting (white with a gold filet) and a dark, wide-profile wood frame. The paper appears well-preserved within the frame, showing no immediate signs of significant foxing or water damage, though light exposure cannot be fully assessed without inspection out of the frame. The colors remain saturated, suggesting it has been stored in a stable environment. This series is considered a hallmark of Chagall's mid-century printmaking, blending his Jewish heritage with the ethereal aesthetic of the Parish School.

I have examined the digital representation of Marc Chagall’s 'Moses and the Burning Bush' from the 1966 'The Story of Exodus' portfolio. This color lithograph, printed by Mourlot and published by Léon Amiel, represents a high point in Chagall's liturgical printmaking. Based on visual inspection, the saturation of the reds and yellows remains remarkably vibrant, and the registration of the lithographic stones appears crisp. The presence of the pencil signature and editioning (out of 250) aligns with known legitimate examples from the Arches paper edition. Market demand for Chagall’s biblical subjects remains robust, as these works bridge the gap between Modernist abstraction and Jewish iconographic tradition. Comparables for pieces from the 'Exodus' series currently range from $9,000 to $18,000 at major auction houses (Sotheby’s, Christie’s) depending on the specific plate and state of preservation. The value of this specific piece is bolstered by the presence of a hand-signed signature, which carries a significant premium over the unsigned book-edition prints. However, this appraisal is subject to several limitations. Authenticity cannot be definitively verified via image alone. A physical inspection is required to confirm the presence of the 'Arches' watermark, examine the paper fibers for age-appropriate toning, and verify the graphite pressure of the signature. Furthermore, I cannot assess if the paper has been trimmed or if there is light-induced acidity/burning behind the matting. To finalize this valuation for insurance or sale, I would require provenance documentation (such as a gallery invoice) and a close-up inspection of the ink layering to rule out sophisticated photomechanical reproductions.