Marc Chagall’s lithographs, illustrated books and portfolios are documented through several important catalogue raisonné references. Mourlot numbers (M.) are the principal references for Chagall lithographs, Charles Sorlier helped document later lithographic production, and Patrick Cramer is a key reference for illustrated books and portfolios. These references help establish a work’s documented title, date, medium, dimensions, edition, printer and publisher.
What Is a Marc Chagall Catalogue Raisonné?
A catalogue raisonné is a scholarly reference documenting an artist’s known body of work. For Chagall prints, entries may record:
- Title and date
- Medium and catalogue number
- Image and sheet dimensions
- Edition and proof structure
- Paper
- Signature information
- Printer and publisher
- Related books or portfolios
The central question is whether the physical print corresponds with a documented Chagall edition.
What Is a Marc Chagall Mourlot Number?
A Mourlot number, usually written as M. followed by a number, identifies a lithograph documented in the principal catalogue raisonné of Chagall’s lithographic work.
The six-volume Chagall Lithographe series was published from 1960 to 1986 and documents Chagall’s lithographic production through 1985. Fernand Mourlot and Charles Sorlier were central to its compilation, and the series remains the standard reference used by auction houses, galleries and collectors. Christie’s describes the six-volume set as the complete catalogue raisonné of Chagall’s lithographs through 1985.
Examples include:
| Marc Chagall Lithograph | Catalogue Reference |
|---|---|
| Green Eiffel Tower, 1957 | Mourlot 201 |
| Le Poète (The Poet), 1966 | Mourlot 442 |
| Le Cirque (The Circus), 1967 | Mourlot 524 |
| Intimité (Intimacy), 1969 | Mourlot 571 |
A listing described as “Mourlot 571” therefore refers to the catalogue entry for that lithograph.
What Was Charles Sorlier’s Role?
Charles Sorlier worked closely with Chagall and the Mourlot workshop and played an important role in both producing and documenting Chagall’s later graphic work. Later volumes of Chagall Lithographe are associated with both Mourlot and Sorlier, which is why collectors sometimes refer to the references collectively as Mourlot/Sorlier.
Auction and gallery descriptions nevertheless commonly continue to cite individual lithographs by their familiar Mourlot (M.) number.
What Is the Cramer Catalogue Raisonné?
Patrick Cramer’s Marc Chagall: The Illustrated Books — Catalogue Raisonné was published in Geneva in 1995. Unlike Mourlot, which focuses on individual lithographs, Cramer is especially important for identifying illustrated books, albums and portfolios containing Chagall’s original prints.
A reference may appear as Cramer Books 46 or simply Cramer 46.
Why Can a Chagall Work Have Both a Mourlot and Cramer Number?
Mourlot and Cramer often document different levels of the same project. An individual lithograph may have its own Mourlot number, while the complete illustrated book or portfolio has a separate Cramer reference.
For example, the 42 lithographs in Daphnis et Chloé are catalogued individually as:
Mourlot 308–349
while the complete publication is:
Cramer Books 46
This does not indicate two different artworks; the references describe the work at different bibliographic levels.
What Should Match the Catalogue Raisonné?
A catalogue number is only the starting point. The physical work should also correspond with the documented:
- Medium
- Image and sheet dimensions
- Paper
- Edition and proof structure
- Signature
- Printer and publisher
- Margins and inscriptions
Material discrepancies—such as incorrect dimensions, paper or edition size—should be investigated before relying on the catalogue reference.
Does a Mourlot Number Prove a Chagall Lithograph Is Authentic?
No. A Mourlot number establishes that a particular Chagall lithograph or edition is documented. It does not prove that the physical sheet being examined is an authentic impression from that edition.
The work should still correspond with the documented medium, dimensions, paper, edition structure and signature.
Learn more: How to Authenticate a Marc Chagall Lithograph →
Mourlot Number vs. Edition Number
A catalogue reference and an edition number serve different purposes:
| Number | What It Means |
|---|---|
| M. 571 | Catalogue raisonné reference |
| 12/50 | Individual impression from an edition of 50 |
| XV/XXV | Impression from a separately numbered group of 25 |
| E.A. | Artist’s proof designation |
| H.C. | Hors commerce designation |
| Cramer 46 | Reference to an illustrated book or portfolio |
A Chagall lithograph can therefore carry both a catalogue raisonné reference and a separate edition number.
Learn more: Marc Chagall Signatures, Edition Numbers & Proofs →
Red Flags When a Chagall Catalogue Reference Does Not Match
Warning signs can include:
- Mourlot number corresponding to a different image
- Incorrect medium
- Materially incorrect dimensions
- Edition size inconsistent with the catalogue
- Hand signature on an edition documented as unsigned
- Incorrect paper
- Cramer reference unrelated to the stated book or portfolio
A single discrepancy does not automatically establish that a work is inauthentic, but it should be reconciled with the documentation for the exact edition.
Learn more: Marc Chagall Lithograph Values & Prices →
Researching a Marc Chagall Lithograph
For identification, useful photographs include the entire work, full sheet and margins, signature, edition number, reverse, blindstamps, inscriptions and labels.
These details can then be compared with the Mourlot, Sorlier and Cramer references to identify the documented work and edition.
Request a Confidential Marc Chagall Evaluation →
Buying Marc Chagall Lithographs
Before buying, confirm that the catalogue reference, medium, dimensions, paper, signature and edition information correspond with the documented work.
Explore Marc Chagall Lithographs for Sale →
Frequently Asked Questions About Marc Chagall Catalogue Raisonné References
What does M. mean on a Marc Chagall lithograph?
M. generally refers to the Mourlot catalogue raisonné number used to identify a documented Chagall lithograph.
What is the Cramer reference for Chagall prints?
Patrick Cramer’s catalogue raisonné documents Chagall’s illustrated books and portfolios. Cramer references are particularly useful when identifying works originally published within these projects.
Does having a Mourlot number make a Chagall lithograph authentic?
No. The reference establishes that the edition is documented. The individual physical impression must still correspond with the documented specifications.
Where can I find the catalogue number for my Marc Chagall lithograph?
The number may appear on gallery documentation, auction records or certificates, but it should be independently matched to the appropriate Mourlot, Sorlier or Cramer catalogue entry.
