The artwork titled “Apothecary in Vitebsk” was created by Marc Chagall in 1914 in Liozna, near Vitebsk, Belarus. This piece, part of the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement, is a cityscape rendered in gouache, watercolor, tempera, and paper. It is presently housed in a private collection.
The artwork depicts a serene, picturesque view of a street in Vitebsk, featuring a quaint apothecary on the right side, signified by the Cyrillic letters “Аптека” visible on its facade. Timber frame houses line both sides of the dirt road, with the background showcasing a verdant landscape and a clear, cloud-speckled sky. The palette consists of earthy tones highlighted with vibrant greens and blues, reflecting a charming, rustic ambiance. The scene captures a moment of daily life in a small town, with a solitary figure walking down the street, emphasizing a sense of peace and simplicity inherent in this depiction.