“The Deposit,” created by Marc Chagall circa 1923 in Paris, France, is an etching on paper that falls under the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement. This illustration is part of Chagall’s “Dead Souls” series and is housed in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, Russia.
The artwork depicts two individuals engaged in an intense interaction. One figure, seen from behind, stands over another who is seated, creating a dynamic contrast in their postures and expressions. The standing figure, rendered in darker, heavier lines, appears to be presenting or handing something, while the seated figure, engulfed in lighter, more diffuse strokes, receives it. The etching technique employed by Chagall lends a stark, almost ethereal quality to the scene, emphasizing the emotional and psychological tension between the characters. The composition, rich in chiaroscuro, reflects the influence of Naïve Art in its straightforward yet profound representation of human experience.
