The artwork titled “Illustration to Nikolai Gogol’s ‘Dead Souls'” is an etching on paper created by Marc Chagall around 1923 in Paris, France. This piece belongs to the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement and serves as an illustration in the series “Dead Souls.” Currently, the artwork is housed at the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, Russia.
The artwork depicts a bustling street scene, representative of Marc Chagall’s distinct, whimsical style. The etching features a number of figures, prominently including a group following a carriage that appears to bear a coffin. The characters are rendered with exaggerated, almost caricature-like expressions and gestures, which might reflect the satirical and critical nature of Gogol’s literary work. The buildings in the background provide context for the setting, suggestive of a small town or village. Overall, the piece is rich in detail and character, offering a glimpse into Chagall’s interpretation of Gogol’s narrative through a unique visual lens.
