The artwork titled “Wounded Soldier” by Marc Chagall, created in 1914 near Liozna, Vitebsk in Belarus, exemplifies the Expressionism movement. Rendered in ink on paper, this work of portraiture measures 22.6 x 13.3 cm and is currently housed in the Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow, Russia.
In the artwork, Marc Chagall depicts a soldier, likely injured, with an ethereal quality against a somber backdrop. The soldier’s figure is rendered with an expressive use of ink, employing a palette dominated by muted, earthy tones, punctuated by strokes of green and blue. The soldier wears an officer’s uniform, discernible by the epaulettes on his shoulders and the cap on his head; his posture suggests weariness or pain. Hovering in the background are three smaller, spectral figures, perhaps symbolizing companions or memories. The background itself is an abstract mix of colors, merging softly to convey an emotive, melancholic mood. Chagall’s characteristic style of elongation and abstraction is evident, focusing the viewer’s attention on the psychological and emotional state of the wounded soldier.
