Fragments from Diary of a Madman
Three Illustrations from moments of the tale Diary of a Madman, by Nikolái Gogol (1835). Each peace represent a key moment from the plot.
Analog illustrations made with chinese ink and pen in 300 grams paper.
Work made for the certificate "Professional Illustration" at the University of Buenos Aires (UBA).
October 4th
The door opened. I thought it was the director; I jumped upwith my documents from the seat,and—then—she—herself—came into the room. Ye saints! howbeautifully she was dressed. Her garments were whiter than aswan's plumage—oh how splendid! A sun, indeed, a real sun! She greeted me and asked, “Has not my father come yet?” Ah! what a voice. A canary bird! A real canary bird! “Your Excellency,” I wanted to exclaim, “don't have me ex-ecuted, but if it must be done, then kill me rather with yourown angelic hand.” But, God knows why, I could not bring itout, so I only said, “No, he has not come yet.” She glanced at me, looked at the books, and let her handker-chief fall. Instantly I started up, but slipped on the infernal pol-ished floor, and nearly broke my nose. Still I succeeded in pick-ing up the handkerchief. Ye heavenly choirs, what a handker-chief! So tender and soft, of the finest cambric.
November 13th
Deuce take it! I can read no more. It is all about chamber-lains and generals. I should like myself to be a general—not in 18 order to sue for her hand and all that—no, not at all; I shouldlike to be a general merely in order to see people wriggling,squirming, and hatching plots before me. And then I should like to tell them that they are both of themnot worth spitting on. But it is vexatious! I tear the foolishdog's letters up in a thousand pieces.
Marchember 86. Between day and night
I felt quite amused as they gave me a document tosign. They thought I would simply put down my name—“So-and-so,Clerk.” Why not? But at the top of the sheet, where the direct-or generally writes his name, I inscribed “Ferdinand VIII.” inbold characters. You should have seen what a reverential si-lence ensued. But I made a gesture with my hand, and said,“Gentlemen, no ceremony please!” Then I went out, and tookmy way straight to the director's house.
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