Pride I (L'Orgeuil I) from The Seven Deadly Sins (Les Sept péchés capitaux)

Pride I (L'Orgeuil I) from The Seven Deadly Sins (Les Sept péchés capitaux) is a powerful print created by Marc Chagall in 1925. This artwork is one plate from a significant portfolio of sixteen etching and drypoints that interpret the classic moral themes of Les Sept péchés capitaux. Although Chagall executed the prints during 1925, the complete portfolio was formally published in 1926.

As a master of varied mediums, Chagall utilized the challenging technique of etching and drypoint to achieve distinct graphic effects in this series. The etching process allowed for sharp, defined lines, while the drypoint added rich, velvety textures due to the burr raised along the etched groove, imbuing the print with depth and dramatic shadow. This emphasis on dark tonality and expressive line work is characteristic of the artist’s graphic output during his French period in the mid-1920s.

The imagery within Pride I (L'Orgeuil I) adheres to the Surrealist leanings prevalent in Parisian artistic circles, transforming a conventional theme into a psychologically complex composition. Rather than relying on classical allegory, Chagall uses fractured forms and symbolic figures to convey the nature of arrogance and excess. The composition employs a dreamlike sensibility, combining elements of Cubist fragmentation with the visual fluidity often seen in his later paintings.

As a classified print, the series The Seven Deadly Sins represents an important component of Chagall’s narrative illustrations, demonstrating his ability to harness the stark contrasts inherent in black-and-white printmaking. The success of these prints solidified the artist's reputation across Europe and America. This specific example of the artist’s graphic mastery is held in the comprehensive collection of the Museum of Modern Art.