This beautifully illustrated, original etching by Marc Chagall was part of Nikolai Gogol's Les Ames Mortes. The work was published in Paris by Teriade in 1948. This was a limited edition of 368 copies, this being one of 285 on Arche woven paper, and numbered 323. The colophon was signed by Chagall (photocopy included with purchase). Chagall's signature, done to the original plate, is present in the etching.

Chagall had created 107 etchings for the work for Ambroise Vollard, but upon Vollard's death in 1939, his work for Les Ames Mortes had yet to be published. He eventually was able to buy back his engravings from Lucien Vollard, Ambroise's brother, in 1946. He then commissioned Teriade to publish the completed work.

"The most complete work, [it] appeared quickly in 1948. It was necessary beforehand to restore the proofs, which were dirty." (C?cile Chicha-Castex,'La reprise des editions inachevees d?Ambroise Vollard'.. Petit Palais, 2021, pp. 101?105 and cat. 53?55) "Here, the drypoint, opposing pure lines and areas of sieving, of zebra stripes, of dense black, restores the complexity of Gogol's world, this profusion which is sometimes crossed by a poignant recourse to Russian soil." (Chapon, The Painter and the Book, pp. 223-224)

Marc Chagall (1887-1985) was a Belarusian-French artist. His given name was Moishe Segal and was born in Belarus which was part of the Russian empire. His art was influenced by Symbolism, Fauvism, Cubism, and Surrealism. The art critic, Robert Hughes, described Chagall as "the quintessential Jewish artist of the twentieth century.


Paper Size: ~ 11" by 15"


Paper Type or Special Features: Etching

The work is in very good to excellent condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.