In 1923 Vollard asked Chagall to illustrated Les Ames mortes by Gogol (1809-1852). Chagall was probably the best person to illustrate this masterpiece of Russian literature. From his own experiences Chagall knew the fate of the peasant in Russia, having suffered the hardship and humiliations in the ghetto. Through Gogol's words, read aloud to the artist by his wife, Chagall conjured up a visual poetry to match the adventures of Pavel Tsitsjikov buying the dead souls from landowners. The prints show his deep-felt compassion while humour and pathos have equal importance.

In 1924 and 1925 Chagall devoted most of his time to designing the illustrations for this book. They are still very much in the vein of his Vitebsk period, being close to the prints in Mein Leben though etching has been used rather than drypoint. The artist made discreet use of aquatint to add tone and texture. The book was finally published in 1948 by Tériade, aided by Ida Chagall.

According to Jacques Lassaigne: 'C'est la représentation visuelle la plus fidèle et la plus juste qui ait jamais donnée de la réalité russe aujourd'hui révolue...' (quoted in Marc Chagall, L'Oeuvre gravé, Editions de la Réunion de musées nationaux, Paris, 1987, p. 19)