Prochka, plate XLIII (supplementary suite) from Les Âmes mortes

Prochka, plate XLIII (supplementary suite) from Les Âmes mortes is a significant print created by Marc Chagall in 1923. Executed using the complex intaglio techniques of etching and drypoint, this piece belongs to a major series commissioned to illustrate Nikolai Gogol’s classic 19th-century satirical novel, Dead Souls. The formal classification of the work as an illustrated book underscores its role not just as a standalone image, but as a component of a larger literary and artistic project. Chagall’s command of the etching process is evident in the sharp, expressive lines, which are contrasted by the atmospheric and velvety burr produced by drypoint, lending the image a rich texture and emotionally charged atmosphere characteristic of the artist's visual language.

The creation of these illustrations occurred during a pivotal period of Chagall's career. Although the subject is inherently Russian, dealing with the absurdities and pathos of provincial life, its production in France places it firmly within the trajectory of influential French art publications of the 1920s. Chagall, working within the broader period of 1923-48 that defines the project’s significance, distilled Gogol’s critiques of social pretense into haunting and often surreal vignettes. Unlike his vibrant oil works, the black-and-white tonality of these prints emphasizes raw emotion and angular, distorted forms, effectively conveying the dark humor and underlying tragic elements of the text.

This specific plate, Prochka, plate XLIII (supplementary suite), showcases Chagall’s enduring fascination with folklore, dislocation, and the fantastical. The visual complexity inherent in the etching and drypoint process is crucial to the dynamic composition. This body of work holds significant value as a premier example of modern book illustration and the successful synergy between high literature and a major twentieth-century master. The original print resides in the esteemed collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), ensuring its availability for ongoing research into the history of fine art prints.