Marc Chagall, in Paris, was commissioned to provide illustrations for a version of the Seven Deadly Sins with texts by contemporary French authors. Drawing on memories and fantasies of his youth in the Belarusian town of Vitebsk, he represents human foibles and weaknesses with wit and affection, taking a satirical but affectionate look at village life. Through his lively line, humorous exaggeration, and defiance of the laws of gravity, space, and time, he acknowledges and embraces our shortcomings as an integral, and even joyous, part of life. 

The book was conceived and coordinated by publisher Simon Kra, who was instrumental in disseminating early Surrealist writings (he published André Breton’s Surrealist Manifesto in 1924). Each of the Seven Deadly Sins is treated by a different author, selected from among the most important French writers of the day:  Jean Giraudoux, Paul Morand, Pierre Mac Orlan, André Salmon, Max Jacob, Jacques de Lacretelle and Joseph Kessel.