The artwork titled “Selifan,” created by Marc Chagall circa 1923 in Paris, France, is an etching on paper. This piece belongs to the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement and forms part of the “Dead Souls” series. It measures 221 x 286 cm and is categorized under the genre of illustration. Currently, the artwork is housed in the Tretyakov Gallery located in Moscow, Russia.
The artwork depicts a robust, bearded figure with simple, almost childlike outlines, characteristic of Naïve Art. The figure is clad in an elongated coat and a hat, with hands resting on the stomach, exuding a grounded, rustic presence. Beside him stands a horse, rendered with minimal lines, yet it radiates a sense of familiarity and loyalty. Adjacent to the man lies a suitcase, hinting at a journey or travel, perhaps alluding to the themes of “Dead Souls.” The etching, composed predominantly of black ink on the stark white paper, captures the essence of primitive artistry through its straightforward yet expressive lines, encapsulating a moment of mundane life with a serene, almost poetic simplicity.
