Mutter und Sohn (Mother and Son) from My Life (Mein Leben)

Mutter und Sohn (Mother and Son) from My Life (Mein Leben) by Marc Chagall is a profound example of the artist's early engagement with graphic media, created in 1922 and officially published in 1923. This print is an etching and drypoint, one of twenty etchings (fifteen incorporating drypoint) that comprised the portfolio illustrating the artist’s celebrated autobiography, Mein Leben.

The specific technical combination of etching and drypoint allowed Chagall to achieve distinct textural effects. The etched lines provide structural clarity, while the drypoint technique, utilizing a sharp point directly on the plate, raises a delicate burr that yields rich, velvety dark tones and softens the edges of the forms, enhancing the emotional depth of the intimate subject matter. This illustrative work captures a moment of domesticity and quiet connection, typical of the narrative moments the artist sought to preserve in his memoir.

Although Chagall's subjects often draw heavily on his experiences in Vitebsk, the production of these prints coincided with a pivotal moment in his career when he was solidifying his reputation within the French art community. The classification of the portfolio as an Illustrated Book emphasizes the deeply personal narrative function of these works, designed to visually accompany his written recollections. The resulting images encapsulate the psychological and folkloric themes that define Chagall’s modernist contribution to prints.

This influential suite of prints, marking a key moment in the period of 1922 to its publication in 1923, demonstrates Chagall’s mastery of the medium. The entire portfolio is considered a cornerstone of 20th-century French graphic illustration, providing unique insight into the artist’s imaginative world. This specific work, Mutter und Sohn (Mother and Son), is held in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), ensuring its availability for ongoing public study and appreciation.