Vitebsk, the Old Man Over the Village

Marc ChagallWW-1909-046418

1909·Black fiber-tipped pen and brush and black ink, with white gouache, over graphite, on off-white wove paper·24.9 × 19.6 cm (9 13/16 × 7 3/4 in.)

<p>Written in Hebrew above the snowy sky is the name of the city of Vitebsk, Marc Chagall’s birthplace. Often present in Chagall’s cityscapes is the image of the “wandering Jew,” carrying his cane and a sack of belongings on his back. Produced when Chagall was in Paris, this drawing can be seen as an image of the artist metaphorically carrying his home with him.</p>

Catalogue

Year: 1909
Medium: Black fiber-tipped pen and brush and black ink, with white gouache, over graphite, on off-white wove paper
Dimensions: 24.9 × 19.6 cm (9 13/16 × 7 3/4 in.)
Collection: Art Institute of Chicago
Artist: Marc Chagall

Artist

Marc Chagall

Painting

M arc Chagall, the Belorussian-born French modernist, became famous for his poetic, dreamlike artworks filled with rich colors and iconic imagery—flying lovers, fiddlers, and fantastical animals—deeply influenced by his Jewish heritage and the Parisian avant-garde. Today, Chagall’s masterpieces remain highly sought after in major museums and the global art market, with his works showing strong long-term value growth and consistent performance at auction.

Saint Paul de Vence, France

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