A legend reminiscent of Chagall’s work, The Soldier’s Tale originated as a play by Charles-Ferdinand Ramuz, first performed in 1918, with music composed by his friend Igor Stravinsky. Published in 1920, the text features a soldier, a princess, a violin, and the Devil, contrasting the power of art with the false happiness and illusory power of money. The Devil ultimately triumphs because the soldier cannot be content with the simple happiness he possesses.