Chagall's devotion to and innovation of the medium of lithography is legendary. He worked tirelessly in creating one of the most extensive bodies of graphic works ever created in any century. His ability to use lithography to create the look and atmosphere of a pastel drawing or a watercolor advanced the medium to a level that had not existed previously. He was known to devote hours and hours to proofing his lithographs. This perfectionism resulted in many works that were never released, and some complete editions that were destroyed by his own hand.
Chagall created the drawings for his last lithograph on March 26, 1985, the day of his death. The work was ultimately printed by Charles Sorlier, Chagall's friend, colleague and lithographer, less than an hour before he died.
