The artwork titled “The Smolensk Newspaper,” created by Marc Chagall in 1914 in Liozna near Vitebsk, Belarus, exemplifies the Cubism art movement and is a genre painting rendered in oil on canvas. Measuring 38 by 50.5 cm, this significant work is housed in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.
In “The Smolensk Newspaper,” Chagall depicts an intimate domestic scene featuring two male figures seated at a table, engrossed in reading the Smolensk newspaper. The composition employs Cubist elements, evident in the fragmented depiction of space and form. The subdued color palette, softened edges, and atmospheric background suggest a contemplative, almost nostalgic mood. The figures are rendered with expressive simplicity; one man strokes his face thoughtfully, while the other appears deep in concentration. A lamp with a green glass chimney on the table adds a focal point, highlighting the quietude and focus of the scene. The work captures a profound sense of everyday life and communal engagement with current events, reflecting Chagall’s connection to his cultural roots and the socio-political environment of the time.
