
Description
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
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
Condition
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.
Buyer's Premium
15%
Chagall - Ploughing - Labourage
Estimate $1,500-$2,500
Starting Price
$200
$200
$220
$240
Get approved to bid.
LiveAuctioneers Purchase Protection
Vetted auction houses
Secure, online bidding
Returns guaranteed for misrepresented listings
Dedicated support when you need it
Antique Prints, Maps, & Books
Mar 21, 2026 10:00 AM EDTFranklin, TN, United States
TOP










![De Bry - Crest or Family Shield: This significant, historic engraving is from Theodor de Bry & Jacques Le Moyne's Brevis Narratio eorum quae in florida Americae provi[n]cia Gallis acciderunt ... quae est seconda pars Americae. It](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/6581/409989/227911909_1_x.jpg?height=181&quality=70&sharpen=true&version=1773237757&width=181)
![De Bry - Florida - The French sail to the May river (whale): This significant, historic engraving is from Theodor de Bry & Jacques Le Moyne's Brevis Narratio eorum quae in florida Americae provi[n]cia Gallis acciderunt ... quae est seconda pars Americae. It](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/6581/409989/227911910_1_x.jpg?height=181&quality=70&sharpen=true&version=1773237757&width=181)
![De Bry - Florida - The promontory where the French landed, called by them the French promontory: This significant, historic engraving is from Theodor de Bry & Jacques Le Moyne's Brevis Narratio eorum quae in florida Americae provi[n]cia Gallis acciderunt ... quae est seconda pars Americae. It](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/6581/409989/227911911_1_x.jpg?height=181&quality=70&sharpen=true&version=1773237757&width=181)
![De Bry - Florida - Noah's Ark After The Flood -- The Procession of Animals (Apparently landing in: This significant, historic engraving is from Theodor de Bry & Jacques Le Moyne's Brevis Narratio eorum quae in florida Americae provi[n]cia Gallis acciderunt ... quae est seconda pars Americae. It](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/6581/409989/227911912_1_x.jpg?height=181&quality=70&sharpen=true&version=1773237757&width=181)




![Catlin, Folio - O-Jib-Be-Ways: George Catlin’s North American Indian Portfolio features stunning lithographs which capture Native American history. Field describes the lithographs as “beautiful scenes in Indian life [that]](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/6581/409989/227911917_1_x.jpg?height=181&quality=70&sharpen=true&version=1773237757&width=181)













