Meal in the Tavern (Repas dans le traktir), plate XXI (supplementary suite) from Les Âmes mortes

Meal in the Tavern (Repas dans le traktir), plate XXI (supplementary suite) from Les Âmes mortes by Marc Chagall, executed in 1923, is a superb example of the artist's proficiency in printmaking. Classified as a component of an Illustrated Book, this image is an etching, a demanding intaglio process that requires precision in line work. Chagall successfully translated the emotional and often dreamlike character of his painted works into the sharp, black-and-white tonalities of the print medium. This suite of illustrations, depicting scenes for Nikolai Gogol’s seminal satirical novel, Dead Souls, was a major literary commission undertaken during the artist’s prolific French period.

The print visually captures the atmosphere implied by the title, Meal in the Tavern, likely depicting the cramped, lively interior of a Russian inn (traktir). Chagall’s characteristic style employs distorted perspectives and disproportionate figures to convey the absurd or sorrowful reality of Gogol’s characters. The etching technique allows for intricate cross-hatching and subtle variations in darkness, lending the image a psychological intensity appropriate for the narrative’s exploration of corruption and human folly.

Although the initial work began in 1923, the production and subsequent publication of these illustrations spanned the broader period of 1923-48. This timeframe was crucial for Chagall, who was then establishing himself firmly within the Parisian avant-garde while retaining deep roots in his Eastern European heritage. The resulting portfolio of prints became a touchstone in modern book illustration, showcasing the synthesis of Russian subject matter and modernist technique.

This delicate work resides within the comprehensive collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). The etching exemplifies the significant role Chagall played in elevating the Illustrated Book format during the early twentieth century.