Pointing Out the Route (L'Indication de la route), plate XIX (supplementary suite) from Les Âmes mortes

Pointing Out the Route (L'Indication de la route), plate XIX (supplementary suite) from Les Âmes mortes, is a compelling work of graphic art created by Marc Chagall in 1923. Executed using the sophisticated techniques of etching and drypoint, this piece stands as a major contribution to the classification of the Illustrated Book (livre d’artiste). Chagall’s mastery of the medium is evident in the intricate lines and rich textural depth achieved through the drypoint method, creating areas of deep, velvety black that enhance the expressive potential of the scene.

This specific print, plate XIX, was produced as part of a significant commission to illustrate Nikolai Gogol’s iconic 1842 Russian novel, Dead Souls (Les Âmes mortes). While Chagall completed the plates in the early 1920s, the full suite of etchings was published over the extensive 1923-48 period. The commission marked a critical point in Chagall’s career, grounding his fantastical, deeply psychological imagery into the structured, monochromatic demands of the printed form. He created 96 individual plates that visualize the absurd, tragicomic world of Gogol’s narrative, focusing on protagonist Chichikov’s travels across Russia.

As an exemplar of French cultural production during the period, this print highlights Chagall’s ability to merge Modernist abstraction with narrative illustration. The composition of Pointing Out the Route embodies the characteristic surrealism of the artist, likely depicting a moment of confused navigation or fate within the context of Chichikov’s misadventures. The subject matter emphasizes themes of travel, disorientation, and the harsh realities encountered on the road. Today, this highly sought-after print remains an essential study of Chagall’s graphic output and resides in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).