House in Peskowatik (Haus in Peskowatik) from My Life (Mein Leben)

House in Peskowatik (Haus in Peskowatik) from My Life (Mein Leben) by Marc Chagall is a compelling example of early modern printmaking, executed in 1922 as part of a significant portfolio of twenty etchings, fifteen of which utilize drypoint. This specific technique allows Chagall to achieve rich, velvety lines and subtle atmospheric effects, central to his graphic style developed upon his relocation to France. Classified as an Illustrated Book, this series of prints accompanied the original 1923 publication of the artist’s memoir, Mein Leben.

The work is intrinsically tied to Chagall’s biographical narrative, recounting his childhood and early artistic struggles in Vitebsk and the surrounding region. Although rendered with the stark black and white immediacy of graphic media, the etching captures the memory-infused and slightly surreal aesthetic that defines the artist’s oeuvre. The subject matter, a humble dwelling in Peskowatik, roots the piece firmly in Chagall’s recollections of Eastern European Jewish life, contrasting stark realism with the expressive, abstracted line work common to his early 1920s period.

The development of the portfolio, created shortly after Chagall’s final departure from Russia, solidified his stature within the avant-garde printmaking circles in Paris. This intensive use of the etching and drypoint medium showcased the artist’s technical versatility and provided a powerful visual corollary to his written autobiography. As a key piece within the broader series, the image documents not just a place, but an emotional history. Examples of these influential prints are held in major institutional collections worldwide, including this impression, which resides in the archives of the Museum of Modern Art.