Self Portrait with Grimace

Self Portrait with Grimace is an intensely expressive print created by Marc Chagall in 1924. This powerful example of early 20th-century graphic arts utilizes the combined intaglio techniques of etching and aquatint. Etching provides the sharp, linear definition that precisely captures the facial structure and emotional tension of the subject, while the subtle grain and tonal washes of the aquatint add atmospheric depth and texture to the composition.

The subject is the artist himself, staring directly out at the viewer, his face contorted into the pronounced, almost anxious expression suggested by the title. Unlike Chagall’s earlier, often whimsical paintings depicting Russian village life and fantastical subjects, this self-portrait reflects a more stark and psychologically charged phase in his career. Created shortly after his return to Paris following World War I, the work captures the spirit of a major artistic figure navigating the complex social and aesthetic landscape of the interwar period.

This piece belongs to a significant body of prints where Chagall experimented extensively with the possibilities of printmaking processes, cementing his reputation not only as a painter but as a master graphic artist. The work provides insight into the emotional interiority of the artist during the c. 1924–25 era, showcasing the visual language of the Parisian avant-garde while retaining his distinct figurative style. Though born in Belarus, Chagall was deeply integrated into the French art scene by this time.

The intimate scale and striking expression make this print an important document of the artist's identity and evolution. As a key example of modern graphic arts, the original impression of Self Portrait with Grimace is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), where it serves as a vital resource for contemporary art reference and historical study.