第7章

Ienteredthemainstreet。Allaboutstoodpoleswithbundlesofstrawontop：somealterationswereinprogress。Severaldwellingshadbeenremoved。Theremnantsofboardandwattledfencesprojectedsadlyhereandthere。Itwasafestivalday。Iorderedmybasketchaisetostopinfrontofthechurch，andenteredsoftlythatnoonemightturnround。Totellthetruth，therewasnoneedofthis：thechurchwasalmostempty；therewereveryfewpeople；itwasevidentthateventhemostpiousfearedthemud。Thecandlesseemedstrangelyunpleasantinthatgloomy，orrathersickly，light。Thedimvestibulewasmelancholy；thelongwindows，withtheircircularpanes，werebedewedwithtearsofrain。Iretiredintothevestibule，andaddressingarespectableoldman，withgreyishhair，said，“MayIinquireifIvanNikiforovitchisstillliving？“

Atthatmomentthelampbeforetheholypictureburnedupmorebrightlyandthelightfelldirectlyuponthefaceofmycompanion。

Whatwasmysurprise，onlookingmoreclosely，tobeholdfeatureswithwhichIwasacquainted！ItwasIvanNikiforovitchhimself！Buthowhehadchanged！

“Areyouwell，IvanNikiforovitch？Howoldyouhavegrown！“

“Yes，Ihavegrownold。IhavejustcomefromPoltavato-day，“

answeredIvanNikiforovitch。

“Youdon”tsayso！youhavebeentoPoltavainsuchbadweather？“

“Whatwastobedone？thatlawsuit”

AtthisIsighedinvoluntarily。

IvanNikiforovitchobservedmysigh，andsaid，“Donotbetroubled：I

havereliableinformationthatthecasewillbedecidednextweek，andinmyfavour。”

Ishruggedmyshoulders，andwenttoseeknewsofIvanIvanovitch。

“IvanIvanovitchishere，“someonesaidtome，“inthechoir。”

Isawagauntform。WasthatIvanIvanovitch？Hisfacewascoveredwithwrinkles，hishairwasperfectlywhite；butthepelissewasthesameasever。Afterthefirstgreetingswereover，IvanIvanovitch，turningtomewithajoyfulsmilewhichalwaysbecamehisfunnel-shapedface，said，“Haveyoubeentoldthegoodnews？“

“Whatnews？“Iinquired。

“Mycaseistobedecidedto-morrowwithoutfail：thecourthasannounceditdecisively。”

Isighedmoredeeplythanbefore，madehastetotakemyleave，forI

wasboundonveryimportantbusiness，andseatedmyselfinmykibitka。

TheleannagsknowninMirgorodaspost-horsesstarted，producingwiththeirhoofs，whichwereburiedinagreymassofmud，asoundverydispleasingtotheear。TherainpouredintorrentsupontheJewseatedonthebox，coveredwitharug。Thedampnesspenetratedthroughandthroughme。Thegloomybarrierwithasentry-box，inwhichanoldsoldierwasrepairinghisweapons，waspassedslowly。Againthesamefields，insomeplacesblackwheretheyhadbeendugup，inothersofagreenishhue；wetdawsandcrows；monotonousrain；atearfulsky，withoutonegleamoflight！……Itisgloomyinthisworld，gentlemen！

THEMYSTERIOUSPORTRAIT

PARTI

Nowheredidsomanypeoplepauseasbeforethelittlepicture-shopintheShtchukinuiDvor。Thislittleshopcontained，indeed，themostvariedcollectionofcuriosities。Thepictureswerechieflyoil-paintingscoveredwithdarkvarnish，inframesofdingyyellow。

Wintersceneswithwhitetrees；veryredsunsets，likeragingconflagrations，aFlemishboor，morelikeaturkey-cockincuffsthanahumanbeing，weretheprevailingsubjects。Tothesemustbeaddedafewengravings，suchasaportraitofKhozreff-Mirzainasheepskincap，andsomegeneralswiththree-corneredhatsandhookednoses。

Moreover，thedoorsofsuchshopsareusuallyfestoonedwithbundlesofthosepublications，printedonlargesheetsofbark，andthencolouredbyhand，whichbearwitnesstothenativetalentoftheRussian。

OnonewastheTzarevnaMiliktrisaKirbitievna；onanotherthecityofJerusalem。Thereareusuallybutfewpurchasersoftheseproductions，butgazersaremany。Sometruantlackeyprobablyyawnsinfrontofthem，holdinginhishandthedishescontainingdinnerfromthecook-shopforhismaster，whowillnotgethissoupveryhot。Beforethem，too，willmostlikelybestandingasoldierwrappedinhiscloak，adealerfromtheold-clothesmart，withacoupleofpenknivesforsale，andahuckstress，withabasketfulofshoes。Eachexpressesadmirationinhisownway。Themuzhiksgenerallytouchthemwiththeirfingers；thedealersgazeseriouslyatthem；servingboysandapprenticeslaugh，andteaseeachotherwiththecolouredcaricatures；

oldlackeysinfriezecloakslookatthemmerelyforthesakeofyawningawaytheirtimesomewhere；andthehucksters，youngRussianwomen，haltbyinstincttohearwhatpeoplearegossipingabout，andtoseewhattheyarelookingat。

Atthetimeourstoryopens，theyoungpainter，Tchartkoff，pausedinvoluntarilyashepassedtheshop。Hisoldcloakandplainattireshowedhimtobeamanwhowasdevotedtohisartwithself-denyingzeal，andwhohadnotimetotroublehimselfabouthisclothes。Hehaltedinfrontofthelittleshop，andatfirstenjoyedaninwardlaughoverthemonstrositiesintheshapeofpictures。

Atlengthhesankunconsciouslyintoareverie，andbegantoponderastowhatsortofpeoplewantedtheseproductions？ItdidnotseemremarkabletohimthattheRussianpopulaceshouldgazewithraptureupon“EruslanoffLazarevitch，“on“TheGlutton“and“TheCarouser，“on“ThomaandErema。”Thedelineationsofthesesubjectswereeasilyintelligibletothemasses。Butwhereweretherepurchasesforthosestreaky，dirtyoil-paintings？WhoneededthoseFlemishboors，thoseredandbluelandscapes，whichputforthsomeclaimstoahigherstageofart，butwhichreallyexpressedthedepthsofitsdegradation？Theydidnotappeartheworksofaself-taughtchild。Inthatcase，inspiteofthecaricatureofdrawing，asharpdistinctionwouldhavemanifesteditself。Butherewerevisibleonlysimpledullness，steady-goingincapacity，whichstood，throughself-will，intheranksofart，whileitstrueplacewasamongthelowesttrades。Thesamecolours，thesamemanner，thesamepractisedhand，belongingrathertoamanufacturingautomatonthantoaman！

Hestoodbeforethedirtypicturesforsometime，histhoughtsatlengthwanderingtoothermatters。Meanwhiletheproprietoroftheshop，alittlegreyman，inafriezecloak，withabeardwhichhadnotbeenshavedsinceSunday，hadbeenurginghimtobuyforsometime，namingprices，withoutevenknowingwhatpleasedhimorwhathewanted。“Here，I”lltakeasilverpieceforthesepeasantsandthislittlelandscape。Whatpainting！itfairlydazzlesone；onlyjustreceivedfromthefactory；thevarnishisn”tdryyet。Orhereisawinterscene——takethewinterscene；fifteenrubles；theframealoneisworthit。Whatawinterscene！“Herethemerchantgaveaslightfilliptothecanvas，asiftodemonstrateallthemeritsofthewinterscene。“Prayhavethemputupandsenttoyourhouse。Wheredoyoulive？Here，boy，givemesomestring！“

“Hold，notsofast！“saidthepainter，comingtohimself，andperceivingthatthebriskdealerwasbeginninginearnesttopacksomepicturesup。Hewasratherashamednottotakeanythingafterstandingsolonginfrontoftheshop；sosaying，“Here，stop！IwillseeifthereisanythingIwanthere！“hestoopedandbegantopickupfromthefloor，wheretheywerethrowninaheap，someworn，dustyoldpaintings。Therewereoldfamilyportraits，whosedescendants，probablycouldnotbefoundonearth；withtorncanvasandframesminustheirgilding；inshort，trash。Butthepainterbeganhissearch，thinkingtohimself，“PerhapsImaycomeacrosssomething。”Hehadheardstoriesaboutpicturesofthegreatmastershavingbeenfoundamongtherubbishincheapprint-sellers”shops。

Thedealer，perceivingwhathewasabout，ceasedhisimportunities，andtookuphispostagainatthedoor，hailingthepassers-bywith，“Hither，friends，herearepictures；stepin，stepin；justreceivedfromthemakers！“Heshoutedhisfill，andgenerallyinvain，hadalongtalkwitharag-merchant，standingopposite，atthedoorofhisshop；andfinally，recollectingthathehadacustomerinhisshop，turnedhisbackonthepublicandwentinside。“Well，friend，haveyouchosenanything？“saidhe。Butthepainterhadalreadybeenstandingmotionlessforsometimebeforeaportraitinalargeandoriginallymagnificentframe，uponwhich，however，hardlyatraceofgildingnowremained。

Itrepresentedanoldman，withathin，bronzedfaceandhighcheek-bones；thefeaturesseeminglydepictedinamomentofconvulsiveagitation。HeworeaflowingAsiaticcostume。Dustyanddefacedastheportraitwas，Tchartkoffsaw，whenhehadsucceededinremovingthedirtfromtheface，tracesoftheworkofagreatartist。Theportraitappearedtobeunfinished，butthepowerofthehandlingwasstriking。

Theeyeswerethemostremarkablepictureofall：itseemedasthoughthefullpoweroftheartist”sbrushhadbeenlavisheduponthem。Theyfairlygazedoutoftheportrait，destroyingitsharmonywiththeirstrangeliveliness。Whenhecarriedtheportraittothedoor，theeyesgleamedevenmorepenetratingly。Theyproducednearlythesameimpressiononthepublic。Awomanstandingbehindhimexclaimed，“Heislooking，heislooking！“andjumpedback。Tchartkoffexperiencedanunpleasantfeeling，inexplicableeventohimself，andplacedtheportraitonthefloor。

“Well，willyoutaketheportrait？“saidthedealer。

“Howmuchisit？“saidthepainter。

“Whychafferoverit？givemeseventy-fivekopeks。”

“No。”

“Well，howmuchwillyougive？“

“Twentykopeks，“saidthepainter，preparingtogo。

“Whataprice！Why，youcouldn”tbuytheframeforthat！Perhapsyouwilldecidetopurchaseto-morrow。Sir，sir，turnback！Addtenkopeks。Takeit，takeit！givemetwentykopeks。Totellthetruth，youaremyonlycustomerto-day，andthat”stheonlyreason。”

ThusTchartkoffquiteunexpectedlybecamethepurchaseroftheoldportrait，andatthesametimereflected，“WhyhaveIboughtit？Whatisittome？“Buttherewasnothingtobedone。Hepulledatwenty-kopekpiecefromhispocket，gaveittothemerchant，tooktheportraitunderhisarm，andcarriedithome。Onthewaythither，herememberedthatthetwenty-kopekpiecehehadgivenforitwashislast。Histhoughtsatoncebecamegloomy。Vexationandcarelessindifferencetookpossessionofhimatoneandthesamemoment。Theredlightofsunsetstilllingeredinonehalfthesky；thehousesfacingthatwaystillgleamedwithitswarmlight；andmeanwhilethecoldbluelightofthemoongrewbrighter。Light，half-transparentshadowsfellinbandsupontheground。Thepainterbeganbydegreestoglanceupatthesky，flushedwithatransparentlight；andatthesamemomentfromhismouthfellthewords，“Whatadelicatetone！Whatanuisance！Deucetakeit！“Re-adjustingtheportrait，whichkeptslippingfromunderhisarm，hequickenedhispace。

Wearyandbathedinperspiration，hedraggedhimselftoVasilievskyOstroff。Withdifficultyandmuchpantinghemadehiswayupthestairsfloodedwithsoap-suds，andadornedwiththetracksofdogsandcats。Tohisknocktherewasnoanswer：therewasnooneathome。Heleanedagainstthewindow，anddisposedhimselftowaitpatiently，untilatlastthereresoundedbehindhimthefootstepsofaboyinablueblouse，hisservant，model，andcolour-grinder。ThisboywascalledNikita，andspentallhistimeinthestreetswhenhismasterwasnotathome。Nikitatriedforalongtimetogetthekeyintothelock，whichwasquiteinvisible，byreasonofthedarkness。

Finallythedoorwasopened。Tchartkoffenteredhisante-room，whichwasintolerablycold，aspainters”roomsalwaysare，whichfact，however，theydonotnotice。WithoutgivingNikitahiscoat，hewentonintohisstudio，alargeroom，butlow，fittedupwithallsortsofartisticrubbish——plasterhands，canvases，sketchesbegunanddiscarded，anddraperiesthrownoverchairs。Feelingverytired，hetookoffhiscloak，placedtheportraitabstractedlybetweentwosmallcanvasses，andthrewhimselfonthenarrowdivan。Havingstretchedhimselfout，hefinallycalledforalight。

“Therearenocandles，“saidNikita。

“What，none？“

“Andtherewerenonelastnight，“saidNikita。Theartistrecollectedthat，infact，therehadbeennocandlesthepreviousevening，andbecamesilent。HeletNikitatakehiscoatoff，andputonhisoldworndressing-gown。

“Therehasbeenagentlemanhere，“saidNikita。

“Yes，hecameformoney，Iknow，“saidthepainter，wavinghishand。

“Hewasnotalone，“saidNikita。

“Whoelsewaswithhim？“

“Idon”tknow，somepoliceofficerorother。”

“Butwhyapoliceofficer？“

“Idon”tknowwhy，buthesaysbecauseyourrentisnotpaid。”

“Well，whatwillcomeofit？“

“Idon”tknowwhatwillcomeofit：hesaid，”Ifhewon”tpay，why，lethimleavetherooms。”Theyarebothcomingagainto-morrow。”

“Letthemcome，“saidTchartkoff，withindifference；andagloomymoodtookfullpossessionofhim。

YoungTchartkoffwasanartistoftalent，whichpromisedgreatthings：

hisworkgaveevidenceofobservation，thought，andastronginclinationtoapproachnearertonature。

“Lookhere，myfriend，“hisprofessorsaidtohimmorethanonce，“youhavetalent；itwillbeashameifyouwasteit：butyouareimpatient；youhavebuttobeattractedbyanything，tofallinlovewithit，youbecomeengrossedwithit，andallelsegoesfornothing，andyouwon”tevenlookatit。Seetoitthatyoudonotbecomeafashionableartist。Atpresentyourcolouringbeginstoassertitselftooloudly；andyourdrawingisattimesquiteweak；youarealreadystrivingafterthefashionablestyle，becauseitstrikestheeyeatonce。Haveacare！societyalreadybeginstohaveitsattractionforyou：Ihaveseenyouwithashinyhat，afoppishneckerchief……Itisseductivetopaintfashionablelittlepicturesandportraitsformoney；buttalentisruined，notdeveloped，bythatmeans。Bepatient；

thinkouteverypieceofwork，discardyourfoppishness；letothersamassmoney，yourownwillnotfailyou。”

Theprofessorwaspartlyright。Ourartistsometimeswantedtoenjoyhimself，toplaythefop，inshort，togiveventtohisyouthfulimpulsesinsomewayorother；buthecouldcontrolhimselfwithal。Attimeshewouldforgeteverything，whenhehadoncetakenhisbrushinhishand，andcouldnottearhimselffromitexceptasfromadelightfuldream。Histasteperceptiblydeveloped。HedidnotasyetunderstandallthedepthsofRaphael，buthewasattractedbyGuido”sbroadandrapidhandling，hepausedbeforeTitian”sportraits，hedelightedintheFlemishmasters。Thedarkveilenshroudingtheancientpictureshadnotyetwhollypassedawayfrombeforethem；buthealreadysawsomethinginthem，thoughinprivatehedidnotagreewiththeprofessorthatthesecretsoftheoldmastersareirremediablylosttous。Itseemedtohimthatthenineteenthcenturyhadimproveduponthemconsiderably，thatthedelineationofnaturewasmoreclear，morevivid，moreclose。Itsometimesvexedhimwhenhesawhowastrangeartist，FrenchorGerman，sometimesnotevenapainterbyprofession，butonlyaskilfuldauber，produced，bythecelerityofhisbrushandthevividnessofhiscolouring，auniversalcommotion，andamassedinatwinklingafundedcapital。Thisdidnotoccurtohimwhenfullyoccupiedwithhisownwork，forthenheforgotfoodanddrinkandalltheworld。Butwhendirewantarrived，whenhehadnomoneywherewithtobuybrushesandcolours，whenhisimplacablelandlordcametentimesadaytodemandtherentforhisrooms，thendidtheluckofthewealthyartistsrecurtohishungryimagination；

thendidthethoughtwhichsooftentraversesRussianminds，togiveupaltogether，andgodownhill，utterlytothebad，traversehis。Andnowhewasalmostinthisframeofmind。

“Yes，itisallverywell，tobepatient，bepatient！“heexclaimed，withvexation；“butthereisanendtopatienceatlast。Bepatient！

butwhatmoneyhaveItobuyadinnerwithto-morrow？Noonewilllendmeany。IfIdidbringmyselftosellallmypicturesandsketches，theywouldnotgivemetwentykopeksforthewholeofthem。Theyareuseful；Ifeelthatnotoneofthemhasbeenundertakeninvain；I

havelearnedsomethingfromeachone。Yes，butofwhatuseisit？

Studies，sketches，allwillbestudies，trial-sketchestotheend。Andwhowillbuy，notevenknowingmebyname？Whowantsdrawingsfromtheantique，orthelifeclass，ormyunfinishedloveofaPsyche，ortheinteriorofmyroom，ortheportraitofNikita，thoughitisbetter，totellthetruth，thantheportraitsbyanyofthefashionableartists？WhydoIworry，andtoillikealearneroverthealphabet，whenImightshineasbrightlyastherest，andhavemoney，too，likethem？“

Thusspeaking，theartistsuddenlyshuddered，andturnedpale。A

convulsivelydistortedfacegazedathim，peepingforthfromthesurroundingcanvas；twoterribleeyeswerefixedstraightuponhim；onthemouthwaswrittenamenacingcommandofsilence。Alarmed，hetriedtoscreamandsummonNikita，whoalreadywassnoringintheante-room；

buthesuddenlypausedandlaughed。Thesensationoffeardiedawayinamoment；itwastheportraithehadbought，andwhichhehadquiteforgotten。Thelightofthemoonilluminatingthechamberhadfallenuponit，andlentitastrangelikenesstolife。

Hebegantoexamineit。Hemoistenedaspongewithwater，passeditoverthepictureseveraltimes，washedoffnearlyalltheaccumulatedandincrusteddustanddirt，hungitonthewallbeforehim，wonderingyetmoreattheremarkableworkmanship。Thewholefacehadgainednewlife，andtheeyesgazedathimsothatheshuddered；and，springingback，heexclaimedinavoiceofsurprise：“Itlookswithhumaneyes！“

Thensuddenlythereoccurredtohimastoryhehadheardlongbeforefromhisprofessor，ofacertainportraitbytherenownedLeonardodaVinci，uponwhichthegreatmasterlabouredseveralyears，andstillregardedasincomplete，butwhich，accordingtoVasari，wasneverthelessdeemedbyallthemostcompleteandfinishedproductofhisart。Themostfinishedthingaboutitwastheeyes，whichamazedhiscontemporaries；theverysmallest，barelyvisibleveinsinthembeingreproducedonthecanvas。

Butintheportraitnowbeforehimtherewassomethingsingular。Itwasnolongerart；itevendestroyedtheharmonyoftheportrait；theywereliving，humaneyes！Itseemedasthoughtheyhadbeencutfromalivingmanandinserted。Herewasnoneofthathighenjoymentwhichtakespossessionofthesoulatthesightofanartist”sproduction，nomatterhowterriblethesubjecthemayhavechosen。

Againheapproachedtheportrait，inordertoobservethosewondrouseyes，andperceived，withterror，thattheyweregazingathim。ThiswasnocopyfromNature；itwaslife，thestrangelifewhichmighthavelightedupthefaceofadeadman，risenfromthegrave。Whetheritwastheeffectofthemoonlight，whichbroughtwithitfantasticthoughts，andtransformedthingsintostrangelikenesses，opposedtothoseofmatter-of-factday，orfromsomeothercause，butitsuddenlybecameterribletohim，heknewnotwhy，tositaloneintheroom。Hedrawbackfromtheportrait，turnedaside，andtriednottolookatit；buthiseyeinvoluntarily，ofitsownaccord，keptglancingsidewaystowardsit。Finally，hebecameafraidtowalkabouttheroom。

Itseemedasthoughsomeonewereonthepointofsteppingupbehindhim；andeverytimeheturned，heglancedtimidlyback。Hehadneverbeenacoward；buthisimaginationandnervesweresensitive，andthateveninghecouldnotexplainhisinvoluntaryfear。Heseatedhimselfinonecorner，buteventhenitseemedtohimthatsomeonewaspeepingoverhisshoulderintohisface。EvenNikita”ssnores，resoundingfromtheante-room，didnotchaseawayhisfear。Atlengthherosefromtheseat，withoutraisinghiseyes，wentbehindascreen，andlaydownonhisbed。Throughthecracksofthescreenhesawhisroomlitupbythemoon，andtheportraithangingstifflyonthewall。

Theeyeswerefixeduponhiminayetmoreterribleandsignificantmanner，anditseemedasiftheywouldnotlookatanythingbuthimself。Overpoweredwithafeelingofoppression，hedecidedtorisefromhisbed，seizedasheet，and，approachingtheportrait，covereditupcompletely。

Havingdonethis，helaydonemoreateaseonhisbed，andbegantomeditateuponthepovertyandpitifullotoftheartist，andthethornypathlyingbeforehimintheworld。Butmeanwhilehiseyeglancedinvoluntarilythroughthejointofthescreenattheportraitmuffledinthesheet。Thelightofthemoonheightenedthewhitenessofthesheet，anditseemedtohimasthoughthoseterribleeyesshonethroughthecloth。Withterrorhefixedhiseyesmoresteadfastlyonthespot，asifwishingtoconvincehimselfthatitwasallnonsense。

Butatlengthhesaw——sawclearly；therewasnolongerasheet——theportraitwasquiteuncovered，andwasgazingbeyondeverythingaroundit，straightathim；gazingasitseemedfairlyintohisheart。Hisheartgrewcold。Hewatchedanxiously；theoldmanmoved，andsuddenly，supportinghimselfontheframewithbotharms，raisedhimselfbyhishands，and，puttingforthbothfeet，leaptoutoftheframe。Throughthecrackofthescreen，theemptyframealonewasnowvisible。Footstepsresoundedthroughtheroom，andapproachednearerandnearertothescreen。Thepoorartist”sheartbeganbeatingfast。

Heexpectedeverymoment，hisbreathfailingforfear，thattheoldmanwouldlookroundthescreenathim。Andlo！hedidlookfrombehindthescreen，withtheverysamebronzedface，andwithhisbigeyesrovingabout。

Tchartkofftriedtoscream，andfeltthathisvoicewasgone；hetriedtomove；hislimbsrefusedtheiroffice。Withopenmouth，andfailingbreath，hegazedatthetallphantom，drapedinsomekindofaflowingAsiaticrobe，andwaitedforwhatitwoulddo。Theoldmansatdownalmostonhisveryfeet，andthenpulledoutsomethingfromamongthefoldsofhiswidegarment。Itwasapurse。Theoldmanuntiedit，tookitbytheend，andshookit。Heavyrollsofcoinfelloutwithadullthuduponthefloor。Eachwaswrappedinbluepaper，andoneachwasmarked，“1000ducats。”Theoldmanprotrudedhislong，bonyhandfromhiswidesleeves，andbegantoundotherolls。Thegoldglittered。

Greataswastheartist”sunreasoningfear，heconcentratedallhisattentionuponthegold，gazingmotionless，asitmadeitsappearanceinthebonyhands，gleamed，ranglightlyordully，andwaswrappedupagain。Thenheperceivedonepacketwhichhadrolledfartherthantherest，totheverylegofhisbedstead，nearhispillow。Hegraspeditalmostconvulsively，andglancedinfearattheoldmantoseewhetherhenoticedit。

Buttheoldmanappearedverymuchoccupied：hecollectedallhisrolls，replacedtheminthepurse，andwentoutsidethescreenwithoutlookingathim。Tchartkoff”sheartbeatwildlyasheheardtherustleoftheretreatingfootstepssoundingthroughtheroom。Heclaspedtherollofcoinmorecloselyinhishand，quiveringineverylimb。

Suddenlyheheardthefootstepsapproachingthescreenagain。

Apparentlytheoldmanhadrecollectedthatonerollwasmissing。Lo！

againhelookedroundthescreenathim。Theartistindespairgraspedtherollwithallhisstrength，triedwithallhispowertomakeamovement，shrieked——andawoke。

Hewasbathedinacoldperspiration；hisheartbeatashardasitwaspossibleforittobeat；hischestwasoppressed，asthoughhislastbreathwasabouttoissuefromit。“Wasitadream？“hesaid，seizinghisheadwithbothhands。Buttheterriblerealityoftheapparitiondidnotresembleadream。Ashewoke，hesawtheoldmanstepintotheframe：theskirtsoftheflowinggarmentevenfluttered，andhishandfeltplainlythatamomentbeforeithadheldsomethingheavy。Themoonlightlituptheroom，bringingoutfromthedarkcornershereacanvas，therethemodelofahand：adraperythrownoverachair；

trousersanddirtyboots。Thenheperceivedthathewasnotlyinginhisbed，butstandinguprightinfrontoftheportrait。Howhehadcomethere，hecouldnotintheleastcomprehend。Stillmoresurprisedwashetofindtheportraituncovered，andwithactuallynosheetoverit。Motionlesswithterror，hegazedatit，andperceivedthattheliving，humaneyeswerefasteneduponhim。Acoldperspirationbrokeoutuponhisforehead。Hewantedtomoveaway，butfeltthathisfeethadinsomewaybecomerootedtotheearth。Andhefeltthatthiswasnotadream。Theoldman”sfeaturesmoved，andhislipsbegantoprojecttowardshim，asthoughhewantedtosuckhimin。Withayellofdespairhejumpedback——andawoke。

“Wasitadream？“Withhisheartthrobbingtobursting，hefeltabouthimwithbothhands。Yes，hewaslyinginbed，andinpreciselythepositioninwhichhehadfallenasleep。Beforehimstoodthescreen。

Themoonlightfloodedtheroom。Throughthecrackofthescreen，theportraitwasvisible，coveredwiththesheet，asitshouldbe，justashehadcoveredit。Andsothat，too，wasadream？Buthisclenchedfiststillfeltasthoughsomethinghadbeenheldinit。Thethrobbingofhisheartwasviolent，almostterrible；theweightuponhisbreastintolerable。Hefixedhiseyesuponthecrack，andstaredsteadfastlyatthesheet。Andlo！hesawplainlythesheetbegintoopen，asthoughhandswerepushingfromunderneath，andtryingtothrowitoff。

“LordGod，whatisit！“heshrieked，crossinghimselfindespair——andawoke。

Andwasthis，too，adream？Hesprangfromhisbed，half-mad，andcouldnotcomprehendwhathadhappenedtohim。Wasittheoppressionofanightmare，theravingoffever，oranactualapparition？Strivingtocalm，asfaraspossible，hismentaltumult，andstaythewildlyrushingblood，whichbeatwithstrainingpulsesineveryvein，hewenttothewindowandopenedit。Thecoolbreezerevivedhim。Themoonlightlayontheroofsandthewhitewallsofthehouses，thoughsmallcloudspassedfrequentlyacrossthesky。Allwasstill：fromtimetotimetherestrucktheearthedistantrumbleofacarriage。Heputhisheadoutofthewindow，andgazedforsometime。Alreadythesignsofapproachingdawnwerespreadingoverthesky。Atlasthefeltdrowsy，shuttothewindow，steppedback，laydowninbed，andquicklyfell，likeoneexhausted，intoadeepsleep。

Heawokelate，andwiththedisagreeablefeelingofamanwhohasbeenhalf-suffocatedwithcoal-gas：hisheadachedpainfully。Theroomwasdim：anunpleasantmoisturepervadedtheair，andpenetratedthecracksofhiswindows。Dissatisfiedanddepressedasawetcock，heseatedhimselfonhisdilapidateddivan，notknowingwhattodo，whattosetabout，andatlengthrememberedthewholeofhisdream。Asherecalledit，thedreampresenteditselftohismindassooppressivelyrealthatheevenbegantowonderwhetheritwereadream，whethertherewerenotsomethingmorehere，whetheritwerenotreallyanapparition。Removingthesheet，helookedattheterribleportraitbythelightofday。Theeyeswerereallystrikingintheirliveliness，buthefoundnothingparticularlyterribleaboutthem，thoughanindescribablyunpleasantfeelinglingeredinhismind。Nevertheless，hecouldnotquiteconvincehimselfthatitwasadream。Itstruckhimthattheremusthavebeensometerriblefragmentofrealityinthevision。Itseemedasthoughthereweresomethingintheoldman”sveryglanceandexpressionwhichsaidthathehadbeenwithhimthatnight：

hishandstillfelttheweightwhichhadsorecentlylaininitasifsomeonehadbutjustsnatcheditfromhim。Itseemedtohimthat，ifhehadonlygraspedtherollmorefirmly，itwouldhaveremainedinhishand，evenafterhisawakening。

“MyGod，ifIonlyhadaportionofthatmoney！“hesaid，breathingheavily；andinhisfancy，alltherollsofcoin，withtheirfascinatinginscription，“1000ducats，“begantopouroutofthepurse。Therollsopened，thegoldglittered，andwaswrappedupagain；

andhesatmotionless，withhiseyesfixedontheemptyair，asifhewereincapableoftearinghimselffromsuchasight，likeachildwhositsbeforeaplateofsweets，andbeholds，withwateringmouth，otherpeopledevouringthem。

Atlasttherecameaknockonthedoor，whichrecalledhimunpleasantlytohimself。Thelandlordenteredwiththeconstableofthedistrict，whosepresenceisevenmoredisagreeabletopoorpeoplethanisthepresenceofabeggartotherich。ThelandlordofthelittlehouseinwhichTchartkofflivedresembledtheotherindividualswhoownhousesanywhereintheVasilievskyOstroff，ontheSt。

Petersburgside，orinthedistantregionsofKolomna——individualswhosecharacterisasdifficulttodefineasthecolourofathreadbaresurtout。Inhisyouthhehadbeenacaptainandabraggart，amasterintheartofflogging，skilful，foppish，andstupid；butinhisoldagehecombinedallthesevariousqualitiesintoakindofdimindefiniteness。Hewasawidower，alreadyontheretiredlist，nolongerboasted，norwasdandified，norquarrelled，butonlycaredtodrinkteaandtalkallsortsofnonsenseoverit。Hewalkedabouthisroom，andarrangedtheendsofthetallowcandles；calledpunctuallyattheendofeachmonthuponhislodgersformoney；wentoutintothestreet，withthekeyinhishand，tolookattheroofofhishouse，andsometimeschasedtheporteroutofhisden，wherehehadhiddenhimselftosleep。Inshort，hewasamanontheretiredlist，who，aftertheturmoilsandwildnessofhislife，hadonlyhisold-fashionedhabitsleft。

“Pleasetoseeforyourself，VarukhKusmitch，“saidthelandlord，turningtotheofficer，andthrowingouthishands，“thismandoesnotpayhisrent，hedoesnotpay。”

“HowcanIwhenIhavenomoney？Wait，andIwillpay。”

“Ican”twait，mygoodfellow，“saidthelandlordangrily，makingagesturewiththekeywhichheheldinhishand。“Lieutenant-ColonelPotogonkinhaslivedwithmesevenyears，sevenyearsalready；AnnaPetrovnaBuchmisteroffrentsthecoach-houseandstable，withtheexceptionoftwostalls，andhasthreehouseholdservants：thatisthekindoflodgersIhave。Isaytoyoufrankly，thatthisisnotanestablishmentwherepeopledonotpaytheirrent。Payyourmoneyatonce，please，orelseclearout。”

“Yes，ifyourentedtherooms，pleasetopay，“saidtheconstable，withaslightshakeofthehead，ashelaidhisfingerononeofthebuttonsofhisuniform。

“Well，whatamItopaywith？that”sthequestion。Ihaven”tagroschenjustatpresent。”

“Inthatcase，satisfytheclaimsofIvanIvanovitchwiththefruitsofyourprofession，“saidtheofficer：“perhapshewillconsenttotakepictures。”

“No，thankyou，mygoodfellow，nopictures。Picturesofholysubjects，suchasonecouldhanguponthewalls，wouldbewellenough；

orsomegeneralwithastar，orPrinceKutusoff”sportrait。Butthisfellowhaspaintedthatmuzhik，thatmuzhikinhisblouse，hisservantwhogrindshiscolours！Theideaofpaintinghisportrait，thehog！

I”llthrashhimwell：hetookallthenailsoutofmybolts，thescoundrel！Justseewhatsubjects！Herehehasdrawnhisroom。Itwouldhavebeenwellenoughhadhetakenaclean，well-furnishedroom；

buthehasgoneanddrawnthisone，withallthedirtandrubbishhehascollected。Justseehowhehasdefacedmyroom！Lookforyourself。

Yes，andmylodgershavebeenwithmesevenyears，thelieutenant-colonel，AnnaPetrovnaBuchmisteroff。No，Itellyou，thereisnoworselodgerthanapainter：heliveslikeapig——Godhavemercy！“

Thepoorartisthadtolistenpatientlytoallthis。Meanwhiletheofficerhadoccupiedhimselfwithexaminingthepicturesandstudies，andshowedthathismindwasmoreadvancedthanthelandlord”s，andthathewasnotinsensibletoartisticimpressions。

“Heh！“saidhe，tappingonecanvas，onwhichwasdepictedanakedwoman，“thissubjectis——lively。Butwhysomuchblackunderhernose？

didshetakesnuff？“

“Shadow，“answeredTchartkoffgruffly，withoutlookingathim。

“Butitmighthavebeenputinsomeotherplace：itistooconspicuousunderthenose，“observedtheofficer。“Andwhoselikenessisthis？“

hecontinued，approachingtheoldman”sportrait。“Itistooterrible。

Washereallysodreadful？Ah！why，heactuallylooksatone！Whatathunder-cloud！Fromwhomdidyoupaintit？“

“Ah！itisfroma”saidTchartkoff，butdidnotfinishhissentence：

heheardacrack。Itseemsthattheofficerhadpressedtoohardontheframeoftheportrait，thankstotheweightofhisconstable”shands。Thesmallboardsatthesidecavedin，onefellonthefloor，andwithitfell，withaheavycrash，arollofbluepaper。TheinscriptioncaughtTchartkoff”seye”1000ducats。”Likeamadman，hesprangtopickitup，graspedtheroll，andgrippeditconvulsivelyinhishand，whichsankwiththeweight。

“Wasn”tthereasoundofmoney？“inquiredtheofficer，hearingthenoiseofsomethingfallingonthefloor，andnotcatchingsightofit，owingtotherapiditywithwhichTchartkoffhadhastenedtopickitup。

“Whatbusinessisitofyourswhatisinmyroom？“

“It”smybusinessbecauseyououghttopayyourrenttothelandlordatonce；becauseyouhavemoney，andwon”tpay，that”swhyit”smybusiness。”

“Well，Iwillpayhimto-day。”

“Well，andwhywouldn”tyoupaybefore，insteadofgivingtroubletoyourlandlord，andbotheringthepolicetoboot？“

“BecauseIdidnotwanttotouchthismoney。Iwillpayhiminfullthisevening，andleavetheroomsto-morrow。Iwillnotstaywithsuchalandlord。”

“Well，IvanIvanovitch，hewillpayyou，“saidtheconstable，turningtothelandlord。“Butincaseyouarenotsatisfiedineveryrespectthisevening，thenyoumustexcuseme，Mr。Painter。”Sosaying，heputonhisthree-corneredhat，andwentintotheante-room，followedbythelandlordhanginghishead，andapparentlyengagedinmeditation。

“ThankGod，Satanhascarriedthemoff！“saidTchartkoff，asheheardtheouterdooroftheante-roomclose。Helookedoutintotheante-room，sentNikitaoffonsomeerrand，inordertobequitealone，fastenedthedoorbehindhim，and，returningtohisroom，beganwithwildlybeatinghearttoundotheroll。

Initwereducats，allnew，andbrightasfire。Almostbesidehimself，hesatdownbesidethepileofgold，stillaskinghimself，“Isnotthisalladream？“Therewerejustathousandintheroll，theexteriorofwhichwaspreciselylikewhathehadseeninhisdream。Heturnedthemover，andlookedatthemforsomeminutes。Hisimaginationrecalledupallthetaleshehadheardofhiddenhoards，cabinetswithsecretdrawers，leftbyancestorsfortheirspendthriftdescendants，withfirmbeliefintheextravaganceoftheirlife。Heponderedthis：

“Didnotsomegrandfather，inthepresentinstance，leaveagiftforhisgrandchild，shutupintheframeofafamilyportrait？“Filledwithromanticfancies，hebegantothinkwhetherthishadnotsomesecretconnectionwithhisfate？whethertheexistenceoftheportraitwasnotboundupwithhisown，andwhetherhisacquisitionofitwasnotduetoakindofpredestination？

Hebegantoexaminetheframewithcuriosity。Ononesideacavitywashollowedout，butconcealedsoskilfullyandneatlybyalittleboard，that，ifthemassivehandoftheconstablehadnoteffectedabreach，theducatsmighthaveremainedhiddentotheendoftime。Onexaminingtheportrait，hemarvelledagainattheexquisiteworkmanship，theextraordinarytreatmentoftheeyes。Theynolongerappearedterribletohim；but，nevertheless，eachtimehelookedatthemadisagreeablefeelinginvoluntarilylingeredinhismind。

“No，“hesaidtohimself，“nomatterwhosegrandfatheryouwere，I”llputaglassoveryou，andgetyouagiltframe。”Thenhelaidhishandonthegoldenpilebeforehim，andhisheartbeatfasteratthetouch。

“WhatshallIdowiththem？“hesaid，fixinghiseyesonthem。“NowI

amindependentforatleastthreeyears：Icanshutmyselfupinmyroomandwork。Ihavemoneyforcoloursnow；forfoodandlodging——noonewillannoyanddisturbmenow。Iwillbuymyselfafirst-classlayfigure，Iwillorderaplastertorso，andsomemodelfeet，IwillhaveaVenus。Iwillbuyengravingsofthebestpictures。AndifIworkthreeyearstosatisfymyself，withouthasteorwiththeideaofselling，Ishallsurpassall，andmaybecomeadistinguishedartist。”

Thushespokeinsolitude，withhisgoodjudgmentpromptinghim；butlouderandmoredistinctsoundedanothervoicewithinhim。Asheglancedoncemoreatthegold，itwasnotthusthathistwenty-twoyearsandfieryyouthreasoned。Noweverythingwaswithinhispoweronwhichhehadhithertogazedwithenviouseyes，hadviewedfromafarwithlonging。Howhisheartbeatwhenhethoughtofit！Towearafashionablecoat，tofeastafterlongabstinence，tohirehandsomeapartments，togoatoncetothetheatre，totheconfectioner”s，to……otherplaces；andseizinghismoney，hewasinthestreetinamoment。

Firstofallhewenttothetailor，wasclothedanewfromheadtofoot，andbegantolookathimselflikeachild。Hepurchasedperfumesandpomades；hiredthefirstelegantsuiteofapartmentswithmirrorsandplateglasswindowswhichhecameacrossintheNevskyProspect，withouthagglingabouttheprice；bought，ontheimpulseofthemoment，acostlyeye-glass；bought，alsoontheimpulse，anumberofnecktiesofeverydescription，manymorethanheneeded；hadhishaircurledatthehairdresser”s；rodethroughthecitytwicewithoutanyobjectwhatever；ateanimmensequantityofsweetmeatsattheconfectioner”s；andwenttotheFrenchRestaurant，ofwhichhehadheardrumoursasindistinctasthoughtheyhadconcernedtheEmpireofChina。Therehedined，castingproudglancesattheothervisitors，andcontinuallyarranginghiscurlsintheglass。Therehedrankabottleofchampagne，whichhadbeenknowntohimhithertoonlybyhearsay。Thewineratheraffectedhishead；andheemergedintothestreet，lively，pugnacious，andreadytoraisetheDevil，accordingtotheRussianexpression。Hestruttedalongthepavement，levellinghiseye-glassateverybody。Onthebridgehecaughtsightofhisformerprofessor，andslippedpasthimneatly，asifhedidnotseehim，sothattheastoundedprofessorstoodstock-stillonthebridgeforalongtime，withafacesuggestiveofanoteofinterrogation。

Allhisgoodsandchattels，everythingheowned，easels，canvas，pictures，weretransportedthatsameeveningtohiselegantquarters。

Hearrangedthebestoftheminconspicuousplaces，threwtheworstintoacorner，andpromenadedupanddownthehandsomerooms，glancingconstantlyinthemirrors。Anunconquerabledesiretotakethebullbythehorns，andshowhimselftotheworldatonce，hadariseninhismind。Healreadyheardtheshouts，“Tchartkoff！Tchartkoff！Tchartkoffpaints！WhattalentTchartkoffhas！“Hepacedtheroominastateofrapture。

Thenextdayhetooktenducats，andwenttotheeditorofapopularjournalaskinghischaritableassistance。Hewasjoyfullyreceivedbythejournalist，whocalledhimonthespot，“Mostrespectedsir，“

squeezedbothhishands，andmademinuteinquiriesastohisname，birthplace，residence。Thenextdaythereappearedinthejournal，belowanoticeofsomenewlyinventedtallowcandles，anarticlewiththefollowingheading：——

“TCHARTKOFF”SIMMENSETALENT

“Wehastentodelightthecultivatedinhabitantsofthecapitalwithadiscoverywhichwemaycallsplendidineveryrespect。Allareagreedthatthereareamongusmanyveryhandsomefaces，buthithertotherehasbeennomeansofcommittingthemtocanvasfortransmissiontoposterity。Thiswanthasnowbeensupplied：anartisthasbeenfoundwhounitesinhimselfalldesirablequalities。Thebeautycannowfeelassuredthatshewillbedepictedwithallthegraceofhercharms，airy，fascinating，butterfly-like，flittingamongtheflowersofspring。Thestatelyfatherofafamilycanseehimselfsurroundedbyhisfamily。Merchant，warrior，citizen，statesman——hastenoneandall，whereveryoumaybe。Theartist”smagnificentestablishment[NevskyProspect，suchandsuchanumber]ishungwithportraitsfromhisbrush，worthyofVanDyckorTitian。Wedonotknowwhichtoadmiremost，theirtruthandlikenesstotheoriginals，orthewonderfulbrilliancyandfreshnessofthecolouring。Hailtoyou，artist！youhavedrawnaluckynumberinthelottery。LongliveAndreiPetrovitch！“(Thejournalistevidentlylikedfamiliarity。)“Glorifyyourselfandus。Weknowhowtoprizeyou。Universalpopularity，andwithitwealth，willbeyourmeed，thoughsomeofourbrotherjournalistsmayriseagainstyou。”

Theartistreadthisarticlewithsecretsatisfaction；hisfacebeamed。Hewasmentionedinprint；itwasanoveltytohim：hereadthelinesoverseveraltimes。ThecomparisonwithVanDyckandTitianflatteredhimextremely。Thepraise，“LongliveAndreiPetrovitch，“

alsopleasedhimgreatly：tobespokenofbyhisChristiannameandpatronymicinprintwasanhonourhithertototallyunknowntohim。Hebegantopacethechamberbriskly，nowhesatdowninanarmchair，nowhesprangup，andseatedhimselfonthesofa，planningeachmomenthowhewouldreceivevisitors，maleandfemale；hewenttohiscanvasandmadearapidsweepofthebrush，endeavouringtoimpartagracefulmovementtohishand。

Thenextday，thebellathisdoorrang。Hehastenedtoopenit。A

ladyentered，accompaniedbyagirlofeighteen，herdaughter，andfollowedbyalackeyinafurredlivery-coat。

“YouarethepainterTchartkoff？“

Theartistbowed。

“Agreatdealiswrittenaboutyou：yourportraits，itissaid，aretheheightofperfection。”Sosaying，theladyraisedherglasstohereyesandglancedrapidlyoverthewalls，uponwhichnothingwashanging。“Butwhereareyourportraits？“

“Theyhavebeentakenaway“repliedtheartist，somewhatconfusedly：

“Ihavebutjustmovedintotheseapartments；sotheyarestillontheroad，theyhavenotarrived。”

“YouhavebeeninItaly？“askedthelady，levellingherglassathim，asshefoundnothingelsetopointitat。

“No，Ihavenotbeenthere；butIwishtogo，andIhavedeferreditforawhile。Hereisanarm-chair，madame：youarefatigued？“

“Thankyou：Ihavebeensittingalongtimeinthecarriage。Ah，atlastIbeholdyourwork！“saidthelady，runningtotheoppositewall，andbringingherglasstobearuponhisstudies，sketches，viewsandportraitswhichwerestandingthereonthefloor。“Itischarming。

Lise！Lise，comehere。RoomsinthestyleofTeniers。Doyousee？

Disorder，disorder，atablewithabustuponit，ahand，apalette；

dust，seehowthedustispainted！Itischarming。Andhereonthiscanvasisawomanwashingherface。Whataprettyface！Ah！alittlemuzhik！Soyoudonotdevoteyourselfexclusivelytoportraits？“

“Oh！thatismererubbish。Iwastryingexperiments，studies。”

“Tellmeyouropinionoftheportraitpaintersofthepresentday。IsitnottruethattherearenonenowlikeTitian？Thereisnotthatstrengthofcolour，that——that——WhatapitythatIcannotexpressmyselfinRussian。”Theladywasfondofpaintings，andhadgonethroughallthegalleriesinItalywithhereye-glass。“ButMonsieurNohl——ah，howwellhepaints！whatremarkablework！IthinkhisfaceshavebeenmoreexpressionthanTitian”s。YoudonotknowMonsieurNohl？“

“WhoisNohl？“inquiredtheartist。

“MonsieurNohl。Ah，whattalent！Hepaintedherportraitwhenshewasonlytwelveyearsold。Youmustcertainlycometoseeus。Lise，youshallshowhimyouralbum。Youknow，wecameexpresslythatyoumightbeginherportraitimmediately。”

“What？Iamreadythisverymoment。”Andinatricehepulledforwardaneaselwithacanvasalreadyprepared，graspedhispalette，andfixedhiseyesonthedaughter”sprettylittleface。Ifhehadbeenacquaintedwithhumannature，hemighthavereadinitthedawningofachildishpassionforballs，thedawningofsorrowandmiseryatthelengthoftimebeforedinnerandafterdinner，theheavytracesofuninterestedapplicationtovariousarts，insisteduponbyhermotherfortheelevationofhermind。Buttheartistsawonlythetenderlittleface，aseductivesubjectforhisbrush，thebodyalmostastransparentasporcelain，thedelicatewhiteneck，andthearistocraticallyslenderform。Andhepreparedbeforehandtotriumph，todisplaythedelicacyofhisbrush，whichhadhithertohadtodealonlywiththeharshfeaturesofcoarsemodels，andsevereantiquesandcopiesofclassicmasters。Healreadysawinfancyhowthisdelicatelittlefacewouldturnout。

“Doyouknow，“saidtheladywithapositivelytouchingexpressionofcountenance，“Ishouldlikehertobepaintedsimplyattired，andseatedamonggreenshadows，likemeadows，withaflockoragroveinthedistance，sothatitcouldnotbeseenthatshegoestoballsorfashionableentertainments。Ourballs，Imustconfess，murdertheintellect，deadenallremnantsoffeeling。Simplicity！wouldthereweremoresimplicity！“Alas，itwasstampedonthefacesofmotheranddaughterthattheyhadsooverdancedthemselvesatballsthattheyhadbecomealmostwaxfigures。

Tchartkoffsettowork，posedhismodel，reflectedabit，fixedupontheidea，wavedhisbrushintheair，settlingthepointsmentally，andthenbeganandfinishedthesketchinginwithinanhour。Satisfiedwithit，hebegantopaint。Thetaskfascinatedhim；heforgoteverything，forgottheveryexistenceofthearistocraticladies，beganeventodisplaysomeartistictricks，utteringvariousoddsoundsandhummingtohimselfnowandthenasartistsdowhenimmersedheartandsoulintheirwork。Withouttheslightestceremony，hemadethesitterliftherhead，whichfinallybegantoexpressutterweariness。

“Enoughforthefirsttime，“saidthelady。

“Alittlemore，“saidtheartist，forgettinghimself。

“No，itistimetostop。Lise，threeo”clock！“saidthelady，takingoutatinywatchwhichhungbyagoldchainfromhergirdle。“Howlateitis！“

“Onlyaminute，“saidTchartkoffinnocently，withthepleadingvoiceofachild。

Buttheladyappearedtobenotatallinclinedtoyieldtohisartisticdemandsonthisoccasion；shepromised，however，tositlongerthenexttime。

“Itisvexatious，allthesame，“thoughtTchartkofftohimself：“Ihadjustgotmyhandin；“andherememberednoonehadinterruptedhimorstoppedhimwhenhewasatworkinhisstudioonVasilievskyOstroff。

Nikitasatmotionlessinoneplace。Youmightevenpainthimaslongasyoupleased；heevenwenttosleepintheattitudeprescribedhim。

Feelingdissatisfied，helaidhisbrushandpaletteonachair，andpausedinirritationbeforethepicture。

Thewomanoftheworld”scomplimentsawokehimfromhisreverie。Heflewtothedoortoshowthemout：onthestairshereceivedaninvitationtodinewiththemthefollowingweek，andreturnedwithacheerfulfacetohisapartments。Thearistocraticladyhadcompletelycharmedhim。Uptothattimehehadlookeduponsuchbeingsasunapproachable，bornsolelytorideinmagnificentcarriages，withliveriedfootmenandstylishcoachmen，andtocastindifferentglancesonthepoormantravellingonfootinacheapcloak。Andnow，allofasudden，oneoftheseverybeingshadenteredhisroom；hewaspaintingherportrait，wasinvitedtodinneratanaristocratichouse。Anunusualfeelingofpleasuretookpossessionofhim：hewascompletelyintoxicated，andrewardedhimselfwithasplendiddinner，aneveningatthetheatre，andadrivethroughthecityinacarriage，withoutanynecessitywhatever。

Butmeanwhilehisordinaryworkdidnotfallinwithhismoodatall。

Hedidnothingbutwaitforthemomentwhenthebellshouldring。Atlastthearistocraticladyarrivedwithherpaledaughter。Heseatedthem，drewforwardthecanvaswithskill，andsomeeffortsoffashionableairs，andbegantopaint。Thesunnydayandbrightlightaidedhimnotalittle：hesawinhisdaintysittermuchwhich，caughtandcommittedtocanvas，wouldgivegreatvaluetotheportrait。Heperceivedthathemightaccomplishsomethinggoodifhecouldreproduce，withaccuracy，allthatnaturethenofferedtohiseyes。

Hisheartbegantobeatfasterashefeltthathewasexpressingsomethingwhichothershadnotevenseenasyet。Hisworkengrossedhimcompletely：hewaswhollytakenupwithit，andagainforgotthearistocraticoriginofthesitter。Withheavingbreasthesawthedelicatefeaturesandthealmosttransparentbodyofthefairmaidengrowbeneathhishand。Hehadcaughteveryshade，theslightsallowness，thealmostimperceptiblebluetingeundertheeyes——andwasalreadypreparingtoputinthetinymoleonthebrow，whenhesuddenlyheardthemother”svoicebehindhim。

“Ah！whydoyoupaintthat？itisnotnecessary：andyouhavemadeithere，inseveralplaces，ratheryellow；andhere，quiteso，likedarkspots。”

Theartistundertooktoexplainthatthespotsandyellowtingewouldturnoutwell，thattheybroughtoutthedelicateandpleasingtonesoftheface。Hewasinformedthattheydidnotbringouttones，andwouldnotturnoutwellatall。Itwasexplainedtohimthatjustto-dayLisedidnotfeelquitewell；thatsheneverwassallow，andthatherfacewasdistinguishedforitsfreshcolouring。

Sadlyhebegantoerasewhathisbrushhadputuponthecanvas。Manyanearlyimperceptiblefeaturedisappeared，andwithitvanishedtooaportionoftheresemblance。Hebeganindifferentlytoimparttothepicturethatcommonplacecolouringwhichcanbepaintedmechanically，andwhichlendstoaface，evenwhentakenfromnature，thesortofcoldidealityobservableonschoolprogrammes。Buttheladywassatisfiedwhentheobjectionabletonewasquitebanished。Shemerelyexpressedsurprisethattheworklastedsolong，andaddedthatshehadheardthathefinishedaportraitcompletelyintwosittings。Theartistcouldnotthinkofanyanswertothis。Theladiesrose，andpreparedtodepart。Helaidasidehisbrush，escortedthemtothedoor，andthenstooddisconsolateforalongwhileinonespotbeforetheportrait。

Hegazedstupidlyatit；andmeanwhiletherefloatedbeforehismind”seyethosedelicatefeatures，thoseshades，andairytintswhichhehadcopied，andwhichhisbrushhadannihilated。Engrossedwiththem，heputtheportraitononesideandhuntedupaheadofPsychewhichhehadsometimebeforethrownoncanvasinasketchymanner。Itwasaprettylittleface，wellpainted，butentirelyideal，andhavingcold，regularfeaturesnotlitupbylife。Forlackofoccupation，henowbegantotoneitup，impartingtoitallhehadtakennoteofinhisaristocraticsitter。Thosefeatures，shadows，tints，whichhehadnoted，madetheirappearancehereinthepurifiedforminwhichtheyappearwhenthepainter，aftercloselyobservingnature，subordinateshimselftoher，andproducesacreationequaltoherown。

Psychebegantolive：andthescarcelydawningthoughtbegan，littlebylittle，toclotheitselfinavisibleform。ThetypeoffaceofthefashionableyoungladywasunconsciouslytransferredtoPsyche，yetneverthelessshehadanexpressionofherownwhichgavethepictureclaimstobeconsideredintruthanoriginalcreation。Tchartkoffgavehimselfupentirelytohiswork。Forseveraldayshewasengrossedbyitalone，andtheladiessurprisedhimatitontheirarrival。Hehadnottimetoremovethepicturefromtheeasel。Bothladiesutteredacryofamazement，andclaspedtheirhands。

“Lise，Lise！Ah，howlike！Superb，superb！Whatahappythought，too，todrapeherinaGreekcostume！Ah，whatasurprise！“

Theartistcouldnotseehiswaytodisabusetheladiesoftheirerror。Shamefacedly，withdroopinghead，hemurmured，“ThisisPsyche。”

“InthecharacterofPsyche？Charming！“saidthemother，smiling，uponwhichthedaughtersmiledtoo。“Confess，Lise，itpleasesyoutobepaintedinthecharacterofPsychebetterthananyotherway？Whatasweetidea！Butwhattreatment！ItisCorreggiohimself。Imustsaythat，althoughIhadreadandheardaboutyou，Ididnotknowyouhadsomuchtalent。Youpositivelymustpaintmetoo。”EvidentlytheladywantedtobeportrayedassomekindofPsychetoo。

“WhatamItodowiththem？“thoughttheartist。“Iftheywillhaveitso，why，letPsychepassforwhattheychoose：“andaddedaloud，“Praysitalittle：Iwilltouchituphereandthere。”

“Ah！Iamafraidyouwill……itissuchacapitallikenessnow！“

Buttheartistunderstoodthatthedifficultywaswithrespecttothesallowness，andsohereassuredthembysayingthatheonlywishedtogivemorebrilliancyandexpressiontotheeyes。Intruth，hewasashamed，andwantedtoimpartalittlemorelikenesstotheoriginal，lestanyoneshouldaccusehimofactualbarefacedflattery。AndthefeaturesofthepaleyounggirlatlengthappearedmorecloselyinPsyche”scountenance。

“Enough，“saidthemother，beginningtofearthatthelikenessmightbecometoodecided。Theartistwasremuneratedineveryway，withsmiles，money，compliments，cordialpressuresofthehand，invitationstodinner：inshort，hereceivedathousandflatteringrewards。

Theportraitcreatedafuroreinthecity。Theladyexhibitedittoherfriends，andalladmiredtheskillwithwhichtheartisthadpreservedthelikeness，andatthesametimeconferredmorebeautyontheoriginal。Thelastremark，ofcourse，waspromptedbyaslighttingeofenvy。Theartistwassuddenlyoverwhelmedwithwork。Itseemedasifthewholecitywantedtobepaintedbyhim。Thedoor-bellrangincessantly。Fromonepointofview，thismightbeconsideredadvantageous，aspresentingtohimendlesspracticeinvarietyandnumberoffaces。But，unfortunately，theywereallpeoplewhowerehardtogetalongwith，eitherbusy，hurriedpeople，orelsebelongingtothefashionableworld，andconsequentlymoreoccupiedthananyoneelse，andthereforeimpatienttothelastdegree。Inallquarters，thedemandwasmerelythatthelikenessshouldbegoodandquicklyexecuted。Theartistperceivedthatitwasasimpleimpossibilitytofinishhiswork；thatitwasnecessarytoexchangepoweroftreatmentforlightnessandrapidity，tocatchonlythegeneralexpression，andnotwastelabourondelicatedetails。

Moreover，nearlyallofhissittersmadestipulationsonvariouspoints。Theladiesrequiredthatmindandcharactershouldberepresentedintheirportraits；thatallanglesshouldberounded，allunevennesssmoothedaway，andevenremovedentirelyifpossible；inshort，thattheirfacesshouldbesuchastocauseeveryonetostareatthemwithadmiration，ifnotfallinlovewiththemoutright。Whentheysattohim，theysometimesassumedexpressionswhichgreatlyamazedtheartist；onetriedtoexpressmelancholy；another，meditation；athirdwantedtomakehermouthappearsmallonanyterms，andpuckeredituptosuchanextentthatitfinallylookedlikeaspotaboutasbigasapinhead。Andinspiteofallthis，theydemandedofhimgoodlikenessesandunconstrainednaturalness。Themenwerenobetter：oneinsistedonbeingpaintedwithanenergetic，muscularturntohishead；another，withupturned，inspiredeyes；alieutenantoftheguarddemandedthatMarsshouldbevisibleinhiseyes；anofficialinthecivilservicedrewhimselfuptohisfullheightinordertohavehisuprightnessexpressedinhisface，andthathishandmightrestonabookbearingthewordsinplaincharacters，“Healwaysstoodupfortheright。”

Atfirstsuchdemandsthrewtheartistintoacoldperspiration。

Finallyheacquiredtheknackofit，andnevertroubledhimselfatallaboutit。Heunderstoodatawordhoweachwantedhimselfportrayed。

IfamanwantedMarsinhisface，heputinMars：hegaveaByronicturnandattitudetothosewhoaimedatByron。IftheladieswantedtobeCorinne，Undine，orAspasia，heagreedwithgreatreadiness，andthrewinasufficientmeasureofgoodlooksfromhisownimagination，whichdoesnoharm，andforthesakeofwhichanartistisevenforgivenalackofresemblance。Hesoonbegantowonderhimselfattherapidityanddashofhisbrush。Andofcoursethosewhosattohimwereinecstasies，andproclaimedhimagenius。

Tchartkoffbecameafashionableartistineverysenseoftheword。Hebegantodineout，toescortladiestopicturegalleries，todressfoppishly，andtoassertaudiblythatanartistshouldbelongtosociety，thathemustupholdhisprofession，thatartistsmostlydresslikeshowmakers，donotknowhowtobehavethemselves，donotmaintainthehighesttone，andarelackinginallpolish。Athome，inhisstudio，hecarriedcleanlinessandspotlessnesstothelastextreme，setuptwosuperbfootmen，tookfashionablepupils，dressedseveraltimesaday，curledhishair，practisedvariousmannersofreceivinghiscallers，andbusiedhimselfinadorninghispersonineveryconceivableway，inordertoproduceapleasingimpressionontheladies。Inshort，itwouldsoonhavebeenimpossibleforanyonetohaverecognisedinhimthemodestartistwhohadformerlytoiledunknowninhismiserablequartersintheVasilievskyOstroff。

Henowexpressedhimselfdecidedlyconcerningartistsandart；

declaredthattoomuchcredithadbeengiventotheoldmasters；thatevenRaphaeldidnotalwayspaintwell，andthatfameattachedtomanyofhisworkssimplybyforceoftradition：thatMichaelAngelowasabraggartbecausehecouldboastonlyaknowledgeofanatomy；thattherewasnograceabouthim，andthatrealbrilliancyandpoweroftreatmentandcolouringweretobelookedforinthepresentcentury。

Andthere，naturally，thequestiontouchedhimpersonally。“Idonotunderstand，“saidhe，“howotherstoilandworkwithdifficulty：amanwholaboursformonthsoverapictureisadauber，andnoartistinmyopinion；Idon”tbelievehehasanytalent：geniusworksboldly，rapidly。HereisthisportraitwhichIpaintedintwodays，thisheadinoneday，thisinafewhours，thisinlittlemorethananhour。No，IconfessIdonotrecogniseasartthatwhichaddslinetoline；thatisahandicraft，notart。”Inthismannerdidhelecturehisvisitors；

andthevisitorsadmiredthestrengthandboldnessofhisworks，utteredexclamationsonhearinghowfasttheyhadbeenproduced，andsaidtoeachother，“Thisistalent，realtalent！seehowhespeaks，howhiseyesgleam！Thereissomethingreallyextraordinaryinhisface！“

Itflatteredtheartisttohearsuchreportsabouthimself。Whenprintedpraiseappearedinthepapers，herejoicedlikeachild，althoughthispraisewaspurchasedwithhismoney。Hecarriedtheprintedslipsaboutwithhimeverywhere，andshowedthemtofriendsandacquaintancesasifbyaccident。Hisfameincreased，hisworksandordersmultiplied。Alreadythesameportraitsoverandoveragainweariedhim，bythesameattitudesandturns，whichhehadlearnedbyheart。Hepaintedthemnowwithoutanygreatinterestinhiswork，brushinginsomesortofahead，andgivingthemtohispupil”stofinish。Atfirsthehadsoughttodeviseanewattitudeeachtime。Nowthishadgrownwearisometohim。Hisbrainwastiredwithplanningandthinking。Itwasoutofhispower；hisfashionablelifeborehimfarawayfromlabourandthought。Hisworkgrewcoldandcolourless；andhebetookhimselfwithindifferencetothereproductionofmonotonous，well-wornforms。Theeternallyspick-and-spanuniforms，andtheso-to-speakbuttoned-upfacesofthegovernmentofficials，soldiers，andstatesmen，didnotofferawidefieldforhisbrush：itforgothowtorendersuperbdraperiesandpowerfulemotionandpassion。Ofgrouping，dramaticeffectanditsloftyconnections，therewasnothing。Infaceofhimwasonlyauniform，acorsage，adress-coat，andbeforewhichtheartistfeelscoldandallimaginationvanishes。

Evenhisownpeculiarmeritswerenolongervisibleinhisworks，yettheycontinuedtoenjoyrenown；althoughgenuineconnoisseursandartistsmerelyshruggedtheirshoulderswhentheysawhislatestproductions。ButsomewhohadknownTchartkoffinhisearlierdayscouldnotunderstandhowthetalentofwhichhehadgivensuchclearindicationsintheoutsetcouldsohavevanished；andstroveinvaintodivinebywhatmeansgeniuscouldbeextinguishedinamanjustwhenhehadattainedtothefulldevelopmentofhispowers。

Buttheintoxicatedartistdidnothearthesecriticisms。Hebegantoattaintotheageofdignity，bothinmindandyears：togrowstout，andincreasevisiblyinflesh。Heoftenreadinthepaperssuchphrasesas，“OurmostrespectedAndreiPetrovitch；ourworthyAndreiPetrovitch。”Hebegantoreceiveoffersofdistinguishedpostsintheservice，invitationstoexaminationsandcommittees。Hebegan，asisusuallythecaseinmatureryears，toadvocateRaphaelandtheoldmasters，notbecausehehadbecomethoroughlyconvincedoftheirtranscendentmerits，butinordertosnubtheyoungerartists。Hislifewasalreadyapproachingtheperiodwheneverythingwhichsuggestsimpulsecontractswithinaman；whenapowerfulchordappealsmorefeeblytothespirit；whenthetouchofbeautynolongerconvertsvirginstrengthintofireandflame，butwhenalltheburnt-outsentimentsbecomemorevulnerabletothesoundofgold，hearkenmoreattentivelytoitsseductivemusic，andlittlebylittlepermitthemselvestobecompletelylulledtosleepbyit。Famecangivenopleasuretohimwhohasstolenit，notwonit；soallhisfeelingsandimpulsesturnedtowardswealth。Goldwashispassion，hisideal，hisfear，hisdelight，hisaim。Thebundlesofbank-notesincreasedinhiscoffers；and，likealltowhoselotfallsthisfearfulgift，hebegantogrowinaccessibletoeverysentimentexcepttheloveofgold。Butsomethingoccurredwhichgavehimapowerfulshock，anddisturbedthewholetenorofhislife。

Onedayhefounduponhistableanote，inwhichtheAcademyofPaintingbeggedhim，asaworthymemberofitsbody，tocomeandgivehisopinionuponanewworkwhichhadbeensentfromItalybyaRussianartistwhowasperfectinghimselfthere。Thepainterwasoneofhisformercomrades，whohadbeenpossessedwithapassionforartfromhisearliestyears，hadgivenhimselfuptoitwithhiswholesoul，estrangedhimselffromhisfriendsandrelatives，andhadhastenedtothatwonderfulRome，atwhoseverynametheartist”sheartbeatswildlyandhotly。Thereheburiedhimselfinhisworkfromwhichhepermittednothingtoenticehim。Hevisitedthegalleriesunweariedly，hestoodforhoursatatimebeforetheworksofthegreatmasters，seizingandstudyingtheirmarvellousmethods。Heneverfinishedanythingwithoutrevisinghisimpressionsseveraltimesbeforethesegreatteachers，andreadingintheirworkssilentbuteloquentcounsels。Hegaveeachimpartiallyhisdue，appropriatingfromallonlythatwhichwasmostbeautiful，andfinallybecamethepupilofthedivineRaphaelalone，asagreatpoet，afterreadingmanyworks，atlastmadeHomer”s“Iliad“hisonlybreviary，havingdiscoveredthatitcontainsallonewants，andthatthereisnothingwhichisnotexpressedinitinperfection。Andsohebroughtawayfromhisschoolthegrandconceptionofcreation，themightybeautyofthought，thehighcharmofthatheavenlybrush。

WhenTchartkoffenteredtheroom，hefoundacrowdofvisitorsalreadycollectedbeforethepicture。Themostprofoundsilence，suchasrarelysettlesuponathrongofcritics，reignedoverall。Hehastenedtoassumethesignificantexpressionofaconnoisseur，andapproachedthepicture；but，OGod！whatdidhebehold！

Pure，faultless，beautifulasabride，stoodthepicturebeforehim。

Thecriticsregardedthisnewhithertounknownworkwithafeelingofinvoluntarywonder。Allseemedunitedinit：theartofRaphael，reflectedintheloftygraceofthegrouping；theartofCorreggio，breathingfromthefinishedperfectionoftheworkmanship。Butmorestrikingthanallelsewastheevidentcreativepowerintheartist”smind。Theveryminutestobjectinthepicturerevealedit；hehadcaughtthatmeltingroundnessofoutlinewhichisvisibleinnatureonlytotheartistcreator，andwhichcomesoutasangleswithacopyist。Itwasplainlyvisiblehowtheartist，havingimbibeditallfromtheexternalworld，hadfirststoreditinhismind，andthendrawnitthence，asfromaspiritualsource，intooneharmonious，triumphantsong。Anditwasevident，eventotheuninitiated，howvastagulftherewasfixedbetweencreationandamerecopyfromnature。

Involuntarytearsstoodreadytofallintheeyesofthosewhosurroundedthepicture。Itseemedasthoughalljoinedinasilenthymntothedivinework。

Motionless，withopenmouth，Tchartkoffstoodbeforethepicture。Atlength，whenbydegreesthevisitorsandcriticsbegantomurmurandcommentuponthemeritsofthework，andturningtohim，beggedhimtoexpressanopinion，hecametohimselfoncemore。Hetriedtoassumeanindifferent，everydayexpression；strovetouttersomesuchcommonplaceremarkas；“Yes，totellthetruth，itisimpossibletodenytheartist”stalent；thereissomethinginit；“butthespeechdieduponhislips，tearsandsobsburstforthuncontrollably，andherushedfromtheroomlikeonebesidehimself。

Inamomenthestoodinhismagnificentstudio。Allhisbeing，allhislife，hadbeenarousedinoneinstant，asifyouthhadreturnedtohim，asifthedyingsparksofhistalenthadblazedforthafresh。Thebandagesuddenlyfellfromhiseyes。Heavens！tothinkofhavingmercilesslywastedthebestyearsofhisyouth，ofhavingextinguished，troddenoutperhaps，thatsparkoffirewhich，cherishedinhisbreast，mightperhapshavebeendevelopedintomagnificenceandbeauty，andhaveextortedtoo，itsmeedoftearsandadmiration！Itseemedasthoughthoseimpulseswhichhehadknowninotherdaysre-awokesuddenlyinhissoul。

Heseizedabrushandapproachedhiscanvas。Onethoughtpossessedhimwholly，onedesireconsumedhim；hestrovetodepictafallenangel。

Thisideawasmostinharmonywithhisframeofmind。Theperspirationstartedoutuponhisfacewithhisefforts；but，alas！hisfigures，attitudes，groups，thoughts，arrangedthemselvesstiffly，disconnectedly。Hishandandhisimaginationhadbeentoolongconfinedtoonegroove；andthefruitlessefforttoescapefromthebondsandfetterswhichhehadimposeduponhimself，showeditselfinirregularitiesanderrors。Hehaddespisedthelong，wearisomeladdertoknowledge，andthefirstfundamentallawofthefuturegreatman，hardwork。Hegaveventtohisvexation。Heorderedallhislaterproductionstobetakenoutofhisstudio，allthefashionable，lifelesspictures，alltheportraitsofhussars，ladies，andcouncillorsofstate。

Heshuthimselfupaloneinhisroom，wouldordernofood，anddevotedhimselfentirelytohiswork。Hesattoilinglikeascholar。Buthowpitifullywretchedwasallwhichproceededfromhishand！Hewasstoppedateverystepbyhisignoranceoftheveryfirstprinciples：

simpleignoranceofthemechanicalpartofhisartchilledallinspirationandformedanimpassablebarriertohisimagination。Hisbrushreturnedinvoluntarilytohackneyedforms：handsfoldedthemselvesinasetattitude；headsdarednotmakeanyunusualturn；

theverygarmentsturnedoutcommonplace，andwouldnotdrapethemselvestoanyunaccustomedpostureofthebody。Andhefeltandsawthisallhimself。

“ButhadIreallyanytalent？“hesaidatlength：“didnotIdeceivemyself？“Utteringthesewords，heturnedtotheearlyworkswhichhehadpaintedsopurely，sounselfishly，informerdays，inhiswretchedcabinyonderinlonelyVasilievskyOstroff。Hebeganattentivelytoexaminethemall；andallthemiseryofhisformerlifecamebacktohim。“Yes，“hecrieddespairingly，“Ihadtalent：thesignsandtracesofitareeverywherevisible”

Hepausedsuddenly，andshiveredallover。Hiseyesencounteredothereyesfixedimmovablyuponhim。ItwasthatremarkableportraitwhichhehadboughtintheShtchukinuiDvor。Allthistimeithadbeencoveredup，concealedbyotherpictures，andhadutterlygoneoutofhismind。Now，asifbydesign，whenallthefashionableportraitsandpaintingshadbeenremovedfromthestudio，itlookedforth，togetherwiththeproductionsofhisearlyyouth。Asherecalledallthestrangeeventsconnectedwithit；asherememberedthatthissingularportraithadbeen，inamanner，thecauseofhiserrors；thatthehoardofmoneywhichhehadobtainedinsuchpeculiarfashionhadgivenbirthinhismindtoallthewildcapriceswhichhaddestroyedhistalent——madnesswasonthepointoftakingpossessionofhim。Atonceheorderedthehatefulportraittoberemoved。

Buthismentalexcitementwasnottherebydiminished。Hiswholebeingwasshakentoitsfoundation；andhesufferedthatfearfultorturewhichissometimesexhibitedwhenafeebletalentstrivestodisplayitselfonascaletoogreatforitandcannotdoso。Ahorribleenvytookpossessionofhim——anenvywhichborderedonmadness。Thegallflewtohisheartwhenhebeheldaworkwhichborethestampoftalent。Hegnashedhisteeth，anddevoureditwiththeglareofabasilisk。Heconceivedthemostdevilishplanwhicheverenteredintothemindofman，andhehastenedwiththestrengthofmadnesstocarryitintoexecution。Hebegantopurchasethebestthatartproducedofeverykind。Havingboughtapictureatagreatprice，hetransportedittohisroom，flunghimselfuponitwiththeferocityofatiger，cutit，toreit，choppeditintobits，andstampeduponitwithagrinofdelight。

Thevastwealthhehadamassedenabledhimtogratifythisdevilishdesire。Heopenedhisbagsofgoldandunlockedhiscoffers。Nomonsterofignoranceeverdestroyedsomanysuperbproductionsofartasdidthisragingavenger。Atanyauctionwherehemadehisappearance，everyonedespairedatonceofobtaininganyworkofart。

Itseemedasifanangryheavenhadsentthisfearfulscourgeintotheworldexpresslytodestroyallharmony。Scornoftheworldwasexpressedinhiscountenance。Histongueutterednothingsavebitingandcensoriouswords。Heswoopeddownlikeaharpyintothestreet：

andhisacquaintances，catchingsightofhiminthedistance，soughttoturnasideandavoidameetingwithhim，sayingthatitpoisonedalltherestoftheday。

Fortunatelyfortheworldandart，suchalifecouldnotlastlong：

hispassionsweretoooverpoweringforhisfeeblestrength。Attacksofmadnessbegantorecurmorefrequently，andendedatlastinthemostfrightfulillness。Aviolentfever，combinedwithgallopingconsumption，seizeduponhimwithsuchviolence，thatinthreedaysthereremainedonlyashadowofhisformerself。Tothiswasaddedindicationsofhopelessinsanity。Sometimesseveralmenwereunabletoholdhim。Thelong-forgotten，livingeyesoftheportraitbegantotormenthim，andthenhismadnessbecamedreadful。Allthepeoplewhosurroundedhisbedseemedtohimhorribleportraits。Theportraitdoubledandquadrupleditself；allthewallsseemedhungwithportraits，whichfastenedtheirlivingeyesuponhim；portraitsglaredathimfromtheceiling，fromthefloor；theroomwidenedandlengthenedendlessly，inordertomakeroomformoreofthemotionlesseyes。Thedoctorwhohadundertakentoattendhim，havinglearnedsomethingofhisstrangehistory，strovewithallhismighttofathomthesecretconnectionbetweenthevisionsofhisfancyandtheoccurrencesofhislife，butwithouttheslightestsuccess。Thesickmanunderstoodnothing，feltnothing，savehisowntortures，andgaveutteranceonlytofrightfulyellsandunintelligiblegibberish。Atlasthislifeendedinafinalattackofunutterablesuffering。

Nothingcouldbefoundofallhisgreatwealth；butwhentheybeheldthemutilatedfragmentsofgrandworksofart，thevalueofwhichexceededamillion，theyunderstoodtheterribleusewhichhadbeenmadeofit。

PARTII

ATHRONGofcarriagesandothervehiclesstoodattheentranceofahouseinwhichanauctionwasgoingonoftheeffectsofoneofthosewealthyart-loverswhohaveinnocentlypassedforMaecenases，andinasimple-mindedfashionexpended，tothatend，themillionsamassedbytheirthriftyfathers，andfrequentlyevenbytheirownearlylabours。

Thelongsaloonwasfilledwiththemostmotleythrongofvisitors，collectedlikebirdsofpreyswoopingdownuponanunburiedcorpse。

TherewasawholesquadronofRussianshop-keepersfromtheGostinnuiDvor，andfromtheold-clothesmart，inbluecoatsofforeignmake。

Theirfacesandexpressionswerealittlemorenaturalhere，anddidnotdisplaythatfictitiousdesiretobesubservientwhichissomarkedintheRussianshop-keeperwhenhestandsbeforeacustomerinhisshop。Heretheystooduponnoceremony，althoughthesaloonswerefullofthoseveryaristocratsbeforewhom，inanyotherplace，theywouldhavebeenreadytosweep，withreverence，thedustbroughtinbytheirfeet。Theywerequiteattheirease，handlingpicturesandbookswithoutceremony，whendesirousofascertainingthevalueofthegoods，andboldlyupsettingbargainsmentallysecuredinadvancebynobleconnoisseurs。Thereweremanyofthoseinfallibleattendantsofauctionswhomakeitapointtogotooneeverydayasregularlyastotaketheirbreakfast；aristocraticconnoisseurswholookuponitastheirdutynottomissanyopportunityofaddingtotheircollections，andwhohavenootheroccupationbetweentwelveo”clockandone；andnoblegentlemen，withgarmentsverythreadbare，whomaketheirdailyappearancewithoutanyselfishobjectinview，butmerelytoseehowitallgoesoff。

Aquantityofpictureswerelyingaboutindisorder：withthemweremingledfurniture，andbookswiththecipheroftheformerowner，whoneverwasmovedbyanylaudabledesiretoglanceintothem。Chinesevases，marbleslabsfortables，oldandnewfurniturewithcurvinglines，withgriffins，sphinxes，andlions”paws，gildedandungilded，chandeliers，sconces，allwereheapedtogetherinaperfectchaosofart。

Theauctionappearedtobeatitsheight。

Thesurgingthrongwascompetingforaportraitwhichcouldnotbutarresttheattentionofallwhopossessedanyknowledgeofart。Theskilledhandofanartistwasplainlyvisibleinit。Theportrait，whichhadapparentlybeenseveraltimesrestoredandrenovated，representedthedarkfeaturesofanAsiaticinflowinggarments，andwithastrangeandremarkableexpressionofcountenance；butwhatstruckthebuyersmorethananythingelsewasthepeculiarlivelinessoftheeyes。Themoretheywerelookedat，themoredidtheyseemtopenetrateintothegazer”sheart。Thispeculiarity，thisstrangeillusionachievedbytheartist，attractedtheattentionofnearlyall。Manywhohadbeenbiddinggraduallywithdrew，forthepriceofferedhadrisentoanincrediblesum。Thereremainedonlytwowell-knownaristocrats，amateursofpainting，whowereunwillingtoforegosuchanacquisition。Theygrewwarm，andwouldprobablyhaverunthebiddinguptoanimpossiblesum，hadnotoneoftheonlookerssuddenlyexclaimed，“Permitmetointerruptyourcompetitionforawhile：I，perhaps，morethananyother，havearighttothisportrait。”

Thesewordsatoncedrewtheattentionofalltohim。Hewasatallmanofthirty-five，withlongblackcurls。Hispleasantface，fullofacertainbrightnonchalance，indicatedamindfreefromallwearisome，worldlyexcitement；hisgarmentshadnopretencetofashion：allabouthimindicatedtheartist。Hewas，infact，B。thepainter，amanpersonallywellknowntomanyofthosepresent。

“Howeverstrangemywordsmayseemtoyou，“hecontinued，perceivingthatthegeneralattentionwasdirectedtohim，“ifyouwilllistentoashortstory，youmaypossiblyseethatIwasrightinutteringthem。

EverythingassuresmethatthisistheportraitwhichIamlookingfor。”

Anaturalcuriosityilluminatedthefacesofnearlyallpresent；andeventheauctioneerpausedashewasopeninghismouth，andwithhammerupliftedintheair，preparedtolisten。Atthebeginningofthestory，manyglancedinvoluntarilytowardstheportrait；butlateron，allbenttheirattentionsolelyonthenarrator，ashistalegrewgraduallymoreabsorbing。

“YouknowthatportionofthecitywhichiscalledKolomna，“hebegan。

“ThereeverythingisunlikeanythingelseinSt。Petersburg。Retiredofficialsremovethithertolive；widows；peoplenotverywelloff，whohaveacquaintancesinthesenate，andthereforecondemnthemselvestothisfornearlythewholeoftheirlives；and，inshort，thatwholelistofpeoplewhocanbedescribedbythewordsash-coloured——peoplewhosegarments，faces，hair，eyes，haveasortofashysurface，likeadaywhenthereisintheskyneithercloudnorsun。Amongthemmayberetiredactors，retiredtitularcouncillors，retiredsonsofMars，withruinedeyesandswollenlips。

“LifeinKolomnaisterriblydull：rarelydoesacarriageappear，except，perhaps，onecontaininganactor，whichdisturbstheuniversalstillnessbyitsrumble，noise，andjingling。Youcangetlodgingsforfiverublesamonth，coffeeinthemorningincluded。Widowswithpensionsarethemostaristocraticfamiliesthere；theyconductthemselveswell，sweeptheirroomsoften，chatterwiththeirfriendsaboutthedearnessofbeefandcabbage，andfrequentlyhaveayoungdaughter，ataciturn，quiet，sometimesprettycreature；anuglydog，andwall-clockswhichstrikeinamelancholyfashion。ThencometheactorswhosesalariesdonotpermitthemtodesertKolomna，anindependentfolk，living，likeallartists，forpleasure。Theysitintheirdressing-gowns，cleaningtheirpistols，gluingtogetherallsortsofthingsoutofcardboard，playingdraughtsandcardswithanyfriendwhochancestodropin，andsopassawaythemorning，doingprettynearlythesameintheevening，withtheadditionofpunchnowandthen。AfterthesegreatpeopleandaristocracyofKolomna，cometherankandfile。Itisasdifficulttoputanametothemastorememberthemultitudeofinsectswhichbreedinstalevinegar。Thereareoldwomenwhogetdrunk，whomakealivingbyincomprehensiblemeans，likeants，draggingoldclothesandragsfromtheKalinkinBridgetotheoldclothes-mart，inordertosellthemforfifteenkopeks——inshort，theverydregsofmankind，whoseconditionsnobeneficent，politicaleconomisthasdevisedanymeansofameliorating。

“Ihavementionedtheminordertopointouthowoftensuchpeoplefindthemselvesunderthenecessityofseekingimmediatetemporaryassistanceandhavingrecoursetoborrowing。Hencetheresettlesamongthemapeculiarraceofmoney-lenderswholendsmallsumsonsecurityatanenormouspercentage。Amongtheseusurerswasacertain……butImustnotomittomentionthattheoccurrencewhichIhaveundertakentorelateoccurredthelastcentury，inthereignofourlateEmpressCatherinetheSecond。So，amongtheusurers，atthatepoch，wasacertainperson——anextraordinarybeingineveryrespect，whohadsettledinthatquarterofthecitylongbefore。HewentaboutinflowingAsiaticgarb；hisdarkcomplexionindicatedaSouthernorigin，buttowhatparticularnationhebelonged，India，Greece，orPersia，noonecouldsaywithcertainty。Oftall，almostcolossalstature，withdark，thin，ardentface，heavyoverhangingbrows，andanindescribablystrangecolourinhislargeeyesofunwontedfire，hedifferedsharplyandstronglyfromalltheash-coloureddenizensofthecapital。

“Hisverydwellingwasunliketheotherlittlewoodenhouses。Itwasofstone，inthestyleofthoseformerlymuchaffectedbyGenoesemerchants，withirregularwindowsofvarioussizes，securedwithironshuttersandbars。Thisusurerdifferedfromotherusurersalsointhathecouldfurnishanyrequiredsum，fromthatdesiredbythepooroldbeggar-womantothatdemandedbytheextravagantgrandeeofthecourt。Themostgorgeousequipagesoftenhaltedinfrontofhishouse，andfromtheirwindowssometimespeepedforththeheadofaneleganthigh-bornlady。Rumour，asusual，reportedthathisironcofferswerefullofuntoldgold，treasures，diamonds，andallsortsofpledges，butthat，nevertheless，hewasnottheslaveofthatavaricewhichischaracteristicofotherusurers。Helentmoneywillingly，andonveryfavourabletermsofpaymentapparently，but，bysomecuriousmethodofreckoning，madethemmounttoanincrediblepercentage。Sosaidrumour，atanyrate。Butwhatwasstrangestofallwasthepeculiarfateofthosewhoreceivedmoneyfromhim：theyallendedtheirlivesinsomeunhappyway。Whetherthiswassimplythepopularsuperstition，ortheresultofreportscirculatedwithanobject，isnotknown。Butseveralinstanceswhichhappenedwithinabriefspaceoftimebeforetheeyesofeveryonewerevividandstriking。

“Amongthearistocracyofthatday，onewhospeedilydrewattentiontohimselfwasayoungmanofoneofthebestfamilieswhohadmadeafigureinhisearlyyearsincourtcircles，awarmadmirerofeverythingtrueandnoble，zealousinhisloveforart，andgivingpromiseofbecomingaMaecenas。HewassoondeservedlydistinguishedbytheEmpress，whoconferreduponhimanimportantpost，fullyproportionedtohisdeserts——apostinwhichhecouldaccomplishmuchforscienceandthegeneralwelfare。Theyouthfuldignitarysurroundedhimselfwithartists，poets，andlearnedmen。Hewishedtogiveworktoall，toencourageall。Heundertook，athisownexpense，anumberofusefulpublications；gavenumerousorderstoartists；offeredprizesfortheencouragementofdifferentarts；spentagreatdealofmoney，andfinallyruinedhimself。But，fullofnobleimpulses，hedidnotwishtorelinquishhiswork，soughttoraisealoan，andfinallybetookhimselftothewell-knownusurer。Havingborrowedaconsiderablesumfromhim，themaninashorttimechangedcompletely。

Hebecameapersecutorandoppressorofbuddingtalentandintellect。

Hesawthebadsideineverythingproduced，andeverywordheutteredwasfalse。

“Then，unfortunately，cametheFrenchRevolution。Thisfurnishedhimwithanexcuseforeverykindofsuspicion。Hebegantodiscoverarevolutionarytendencyineverything；toconcoctterribleandunjustaccusations，whichmadescoresofpeopleunhappy。Ofcourse，suchconductcouldnotfailintimetoreachthethrone。Thekind-heartedEmpresswasshocked；and，fullofthenoblespiritwhichadornscrownedheads，sheutteredwordsstillengravenonmanyhearts。TheEmpressremarkedthatnotunderamonarchicalgovernmentwerehighandnobleimpulsespersecuted；nottherewerethecreationsofintellect，poetry，andartcontemnedandoppressed。Ontheotherhand，monarchsaloneweretheirprotectors。ShakespeareandMoliereflourishedundertheirmagnanimousprotection，whileDantecouldnotfindacornerinhisrepublicanbirthplace。Shesaidthattruegeniusesariseattheepochofbrilliancyandpowerinemperorsandempires，butnotinthetimeofmonstrouspoliticalapparitionsandrepublicanterrorism，which，uptothattime，hadnevergiventotheworldasinglepoet；

thatpoet-artistsshouldbemarkedoutforfavour，sincepeaceanddivinequietalonecomposetheirminds，notexcitementandtumult；

thatlearnedmen，poets，andallproducersofartarethepearlsanddiamondsintheimperialcrown：bythemistheepochofthegreatruleradorned，andfromthemitreceivesyetgreaterbrilliancy。

“AstheEmpressutteredthesewordsshewasdivinelybeautifulforthemoment，andIrememberoldmenwhocouldnotspeakoftheoccurrencewithouttears。Allwereinterestedintheaffair。Itmustberemarked，tothehonourofournationalpride，thatintheRussian”shearttherealwaysbeatsafinefeelingthathemustadoptthepartofthepersecuted。Thedignitarywhohadbetrayedhistrustwaspunishedinanexemplarymanneranddegradedfromhispost。Buthereadamoredreadfulpunishmentinthefacesofhisfellow-countrymen：universalscorn。Itisimpossibletodescribewhathesuffered，andhediedinaterribleattackofravingmadness。

“Anotherstrikingexamplealsooccurred。Amongthebeautifulwomeninwhichournortherncapitalassuredlyisnotpoor，onedecidedlysurpassedtherest。HerlovelinesswasacombinationofourNortherncharmswiththoseoftheSouth，agemsuchasrarelymakesitsappearanceonearth。Myfathersaidthathehadneverbeheldanythinglikeitinthewholecourseofhislife。Everythingseemedtobeunitedinher，wealth，intellect，andwit。Shehadthrongsofadmirers，themostdistinguishedofthembeingPrinceR。，themostnoble-mindedofallyoungmen，thefinestinface，andanidealofromanceinhismagnanimousandknightlysentiments。PrinceR。waspassionatelyinlove，andwasrequitedbyalikeardentpassion。

“Butthematchseemedunequaltotheparents。Theprince”sfamilyestateshadnotbeeninhispossessionforalongtime，hisfamilywasoutoffavour，andthesadstateofhisaffairswaswellknowntoall。

Ofasuddentheprincequittedthecapital，asifforthepurposeofarranginghisaffairs，andafterashortintervalreappeared，surroundedwithluxuryandsplendour。Brilliantballsandpartiesmadehimknownatcourt。Thelady”sfatherbegantorelent，andtheweddingtookplace。Whencethischangeincircumstances，thisunheard-of-wealth，came，noonecouldfullyexplain；butitwaswhisperedthathehadenteredintoacompactwiththemysterioususurer，andhadborrowedmoneyofhim。Howeverthatmayhavebeen，theweddingwasasourceofinteresttothewholecity，andthebrideandbridegroomwereobjectsofgeneralenvy。Everyoneknewoftheirwarmandfaithfullove，thelongpersecutiontheyhadhadtoendurefromeveryquarter，thegreatpersonalworthofboth。Ardentwomenatoncesketchedouttheheavenlyblisswhichtheyoungcouplewouldenjoy。

Butitturnedoutverydifferently。

“Inthecourseofayearafrightfulchangecameoverthehusband。Hischaracter，uptothattimesonoble，becamepoisonedwithjealoussuspicions，irritability，andinexhaustiblecaprices。Hebecameatyranttohiswife，athingwhichnoonecouldhaveforeseen，andindulgedinthemostinhumandeeds，andeveninblows。Inayear”stimenoonewouldhaverecognisedthewomanwho，suchalittlewhilebefore，haddazzledanddrawnaboutherthrongsofsubmissiveadorers。

Finally，nolongerabletoendureherlot，sheproposedadivorce。Herhusbandflewintoarageattheverysuggestion。Inthefirstoutburstofpassion，hechasedherabouttheroomwithaknife，andwoulddoubtlesshavemurderedherthenandthere，iftheyhadnotseizedhimandpreventedhim。Inafitofmadnessanddespairheturnedtheknifeagainsthimself，andendedhislifeamidthemosthorriblesufferings。

“Besidesthesetwoinstanceswhichoccurredbeforetheeyesofalltheworld，storiescirculatedofmanymoreamongthelowerclasses，nearlyallofwhichhadtragicendings。Hereanhonestsobermanbecameadrunkard；thereashopkeeper”sclerkrobbedhismaster；again，adriverwhohadconductedhimselfproperlyforanumberofyearscuthispassenger”sthroatforagroschen。Itwasimpossiblethatsuchoccurrences，related，notwithoutembellishments，shouldnotinspireasortofinvoluntaryhorroramongstthesedateinhabitantsofKolomna。

Nooneentertainedanydoubtastothepresenceofanevilpowerintheusurer。Theysaidthatheimposedconditionswhichmadethehairriseonone”shead，andwhichthemiserablewretchneverafterwarddaredrevealtoanyotherbeing；thathismoneypossessedastrangepowerofattraction；thatitgrewhotofitself，andthatitborestrangemarks。Anditisworthyofremark，thatallthecolonyofKolomna，allthesepooroldwomen，smallofficials，pettyartists，andinsignificantpeoplewhomwehavejustrecapitulated，agreedthatitwasbettertoendureanything，andtosuffertheextremeofmisery，ratherthantohaverecoursetotheterribleusurer。Oldwomenwereevenfounddyingofhunger，whopreferredtokilltheirbodiesratherthanlosetheirsoul。Thosewhomethiminthestreetexperiencedaninvoluntarysenseoffear。Pedestrianstookcaretoturnasidefromhispath，andgazedlongafterhistall，recedingfigure。Inhisfacealonetherewassufficientthatwasuncommontocauseanyonetoascribetohimasupernaturalnature。Thestrongfeatures，sodeeplychiselled；theglowingbronzeofhiscomplexion；theincrediblethicknessofhisbrows；theintolerable，terribleeyes——everythingseemedtoindicatethatthepassionsofothermenwerepalecomparedtothoseragingwithinhim。Myfatherstoppedshorteverytimehemethim，andcouldnotrefraineachtimefromsaying，”Adevil，aperfectdevil！”ButImustintroduceyouasspeedilyaspossibletomyfather，thechiefcharacterofthisstory。

“Myfatherwasaremarkablemaninmanyrespects。Hewasanartistofrareability，aself-taughtartist，withoutteachersorschools，principlesandrules，carriedawayonlybythethirstforperfection，andtreadingapathindicatedbyhisowninstincts，forreasonsunknown，perchance，eventohimself。Throughsomeloftyandsecretinstinctheperceivedthepresenceofasoulineveryobject。AndthissecretinstinctandpersonalconvictionturnedhisbrushtoChristiansubjects，grandandloftytothelastdegree。Hiswasastrongcharacter：hewasanhonourable，upright，evenroughman，coveredwithasortofhardrindwithout，notentirelylackinginpride，andgiventoexpressinghimselfbothsharplyandscornfullyaboutpeople。Heworkedforverysmallresults；thatistosay，forjustenoughtosupporthisfamilyandobtainthematerialsheneeded；henever，underanycircumstances，refusedtoaidanyone，ortolendahelpinghandtoapoorartist；andhebelievedwiththesimple，reverentfaithofhisancestors。Atlength，byhisunintermittinglabourandperseveranceinthepathhehadmarkedoutforhimself，hebegantowintheapprobationofthosewhohonouredhisself-taughttalent。Theygavehimconstantordersforchurches，andheneverlackedemployment。

“Oneofhispaintingspossessedastronginterestforhim。Inolongerrecollecttheexactsubject：IonlyknowthatheneededtorepresenttheSpiritofDarknessinit。Heponderedlongwhatformtogivehim：

hewishedtoconcentrateinhisfaceallthatweighsdownandoppressesaman。Inthemidstofhismeditationstheresuddenlyoccurredtohismindtheimageofthemysterioususurer；andhethoughtinvoluntarily，”That”showIoughttopainttheDevil！”

Imaginehisamazementwhenoneday，ashewasatworkinhisstudio，heheardaknockatthedoor，anddirectlyafterthereenteredthatsameterribleusurer。

“”Youareanartist？”hesaidtomyfatherabruptly。

“”Iam”answeredmyfatherinsurprise，waitingforwhatshouldcomenext。

“”Good！Paintmyportrait。Imaypossiblydiesoon。Ihavenochildren；butIdonotwishtodiecompletely，Iwishtolive。Canyoupaintaportraitthatshallappearasthoughitwerealive？”

“Myfatherreflected，”Whatcouldbebetter！heoffershimselffortheDevilinmypicture。”Hepromised。Theyagreeduponatimeandprice；

andthenextdaymyfathertookpaletteandbrushesandwenttotheusurer”shouse。Theloftycourt-yard，dogs，irondoorsandlocks，archedwindows，coffers，drapedwithstrangecovers，and，lastofall，theremarkableownerhimself，seatedmotionlessbeforehim，allproducedastrangeimpressiononhim。Thewindowsseemedintentionallysoencumberedbelowthattheyadmittedthelightonlyfromthetop。”Deviltakehim，howwellhisfaceislighted！”hesaidtohimself，andbegantopaintassiduously，asthoughafraidthatthefavourablelightwoulddisappear。”Whatpower！”herepeatedtohimself。”IfI

onlyaccomplishhalfalikenessofhim，asheisnow，itwillsurpassallmyotherworks：hewillsimplystartfromthecanvasifIamonlypartlytruetonature。Whatremarkablefeatures！”Heredoubledhisenergy；andbeganhimselftonoticehowsomeofhissitter”straitsweremakingtheirappearanceonthecanvas。

“Butthemorecloselyheapproachedresemblance，themoreconscioushebecameofanaggressive，uneasyfeelingwhichhecouldnotexplaintohimself。Notwithstandingthis，hesethimselftocopywithliteralaccuracyeverytraitandexpression。Firstofall，however，hebusiedhimselfwiththeeyes。Therewassomuchforceinthoseeyes，thatitseemedimpossibletoreproducethemexactlyastheywereinnature。

Butheresolved，atanyprice，toseekinthemthemostminutecharacteristicsandshades，topenetratetheirsecret。Assoon，however，asheapproachedtheminresemblance，andbegantoredoublehisexertions，theresprangupinhismindsuchaterriblefeelingofrepulsion，ofinexplicableexpression，thathewasforcedtolayasidehisbrushforawhileandbeginanew。Atlasthecouldbearitnolonger：hefeltasiftheseeyeswerepiercingintohissoul，andcausingintolerableemotion。Onthesecondandthirddaysthisgrewstillstronger。Itbecamehorribletohim。Hethrewdownhisbrush，anddeclaredabruptlythathecouldpaintthestrangernolonger。Youshouldhaveseenhowtheterribleusurerchangedcountenanceatthesewords。Hethrewhimselfathisfeet，andbesoughthimtofinishtheportrait，sayingthathisfateandhisexistencedependedonit；thathehadalreadycaughthisprominentfeatures；thatifhecouldreproducethemaccurately，hislifewouldbepreservedinhisportraitinasupernaturalmanner；thatbythatmeanshewouldnotdiecompletely；thatitwasnecessaryforhimtocontinuetoexistintheworld。

“Myfatherwasfrightenedbythesewords：theyseemedtohimstrangeandterribletosuchadegree，thathethrewdownhisbrushesandpaletteandrushedheadlongfromtheroom。

“Thethoughtofittroubledhimalldayandallnight；butthenextmorninghereceivedtheportraitfromtheusurer，byawomanwhowastheonlycreatureinhisservice，andwhoannouncedthathermasterdidnotwanttheportrait，andwouldpaynothingforit，andhadsentitback。Ontheeveningofthesamedayhelearnedthattheusurerwasdead，andthatpreparationswereinprogresstoburyhimaccordingtotheritesofhisreligion。Allthisseemedtohiminexplicablystrange。Butfromthatdayamarkedchangeshoweditselfinhischaracter。Hewaspossessedbyatroubled，uneasyfeeling，ofwhichhewasunabletoexplainthecause；andhesooncommittedadeedwhichnoonecouldhaveexpectedofhim。Forsometimetheworksofoneofhispupilshadbeenattractingtheattentionofasmallcircleofconnoisseursandamateurs。Myfatherhadperceivedhistalent，andmanifestedaparticularlikingforhiminconsequence。Suddenlythegeneralinterestinhimandtalkabouthimbecameunendurabletomyfatherwhogrewenviousofhim。Finally，tocompletehisvexation，helearnedthathispupilhadbeenaskedtopaintapictureforarecentlybuiltandwealthychurch。Thisenragedhim。”No，Iwillnotpermitthatfledglingtotriumph！”saidhe：”itisearly，friend，tothinkofconsigningoldmentothegutters。Istillhavepowers，Godbepraised！We”llsoonseewhichwillputdowntheother。”

“Andthisstraightforward，honourablemanemployedintrigueswhichhehadhithertoabhorred。Hefinallycontrivedthatthereshouldbeacompetitionforthepicturewhichotherartistswerepermittedtoenterinto。Thenheshuthimselfupinhisroom，andgraspedhisbrushwithzeal。Itseemedasifhewerestrivingtosummonallhisstrengthupforthisoccasion。And，infact，theresultturnedouttobeoneofhisbestworks。Noonedoubtedthathewouldbearoffthepalm。Thepictureswereplacedonexhibition，andalltheothersseemedtohisasnighttoday。Butofasudden，oneofthememberspresent，anecclesiasticalpersonageifImistakenot，madearemarkwhichsurprisedeveryone。”Thereiscertainlymuchtalentinthisartist”spicture”saidhe，”butnoholinessinthefaces：thereiseven，onthecontrary，ademoniacallookintheeyes，asthoughsomeevilfeelinghadguidedtheartist”shand。”Alllooked，andcouldnotbutacknowledgethetruthofthesewords。Myfatherrushedforwardtohispicture，asthoughtoverifyforhimselfthisoffensiveremark，andperceivedwithhorrorthathehadbestowedtheusurer”seyesuponnearlyallthefigures。Theyhadsuchadiabolicalgazethatheinvoluntarilyshuddered。Thepicturewasrejected；andhewasforcedtohear，tohisindescribablevexation，thatthepalmwasawardedtohispupil。

“Itisimpossibletodescribethestateofrageinwhichhereturnedhome。Healmostkilledmymother，hedrovethechildrenaway，brokehisbrushesandeasels，toredowntheusurer”sportraitfromthewall，demandedaknife，andorderedafiretobebuiltinthechimney，intendingtocutitinpiecesandburnit。Afriend，anartist，caughthimintheactasheenteredtheroom——ajollyfellow，alwayssatisfiedwithhimself，inflatedbyunattainablewishes，doingdailyanythingthatcametohand，andtakingstillmoregailytohisdinnerandlittlecarouses。

“”Whatareyoudoing？Whatareyoupreparingtoburn？”heasked，andsteppeduptotheportrait。”Why，thisisoneofyourverybestworks。

Itistheusurerwhodiedashorttimeago：yes，itisamostperfectlikeness。Youdidnotstopuntilyouhadgotintohisveryeyes。Neverdideyeslookasthesedonow。”

“”Well，I”llseehowtheylookinthefire！”saidmyfather，makingamovementtoflingtheportraitintothegrate。

“”Stop，forHeaven”ssake！”exclaimedhisfriend，restraininghim：”giveittome，rather，ifitoffendsyoureyestosuchadegree。”Myfatherresisted，butyieldedatlength；andthejollyfellow，wellpleasedwithhisacquisition，carriedtheportraithomewithhim。

“Whenhewasgone，myfatherfeltmorecalm。Theburdenseemedtohavedisappearedfromhissoulincompanywiththeportrait。Hewassurprisedhimselfathisevilfeelings，hisenvy，andtheevidentchangeinhischaracter。Reviewinghisacts，hebecamesadatheart；

andnotwithoutinwardsorrowdidheexclaim，”No，itwasGodwhopunishedme！mypicture，infact，wasmeanttoruinmybrother-man。A

devilishfeelingofenvyguidedmybrush，andthatdevilishfeelingmusthavemadeitselfvisibleinit。”

“Hesetoutatoncetoseekhisformerpupil，embracedhimwarmly，beggedhisforgiveness，andendeavouredasfaraspossibletoexcusehisownfault。Hislabourscontinuedasbefore；buthisfacewasmorefrequentlythoughtful。Heprayedmore，grewmoretaciturn，andexpressedhimselflesssharplyaboutpeople：eventheroughexteriorofhischaracterwasmodifiedtosomeextent。Butacertainoccurrencesoondisturbedhimmorethanever。Hehadseennothingforalongtimeofthecomradewhohadbeggedtheportraitofhim。Hehadalreadydecidedtohunthimup，whenthelattersuddenlymadehisappearanceinhisroom。Afterafewwordsandquestionsonbothsides，hesaid，”Well，brother，itwasnotwithoutcausethatyouwishedtoburnthatportrait。Deviltakeit，there”ssomethinghorribleaboutit！Idon”tbelieveinsorcerers；but，beggingyourpardon，there”sanuncleanspiritinit。”

“”Howso？”askedmyfather。

“”Well，fromtheverymomentIhungitupinmyroomIfeltsuchdepression——justasifIwantedtomurdersomeone。Ineverknewinmylifewhatsleeplessnesswas；butIsufferednotfromsleeplessnessalone，butfromsuchdreams！——Icannottellwhethertheyweredreams，orwhat；itwasasifademonwerestranglingone：andtheoldmanappearedtomeinmysleep。Inshort，Ican”tdescribemystateofmind。Ihadasensationoffear，asifexpectingsomethingunpleasant。

IfeltasifIcouldnotspeakacheerfulorsincerewordtoanyone：

itwasjustasifaspyweresittingoverme。ButfromtheveryhourthatIgavethatportraittomynephew，whoaskedforit，Ifeltasifastonehadbeenrolledfrommyshoulders，andbecamecheerful，asyouseemenow。Well，brother，youpaintedtheveryDevil！”

“Duringthisrecitalmyfatherlistenedwithunswervingattention，andfinallyinquired，”Andyournephewnowhastheportrait？”

“”Mynephew，indeed！hecouldnotstandit！”saidthejollyfellow：”doyouknow，thesoulofthatusurerhasmigratedintoit；hejumpsoutoftheframe，walksabouttheroom；andwhatmynephewtellsofhimissimplyincomprehensible。Ishouldtakehimforalunatic，ifI

hadnotundergoneapartofitmyself。Hesoldittosomecollectorofpictures；andhecouldnotstanditeither，andgotridofittosomeoneelse。”

“Thisstoryproducedadeepimpressiononmyfather。Hegrewseriouslypensive，fellintohypochondria，andfinallybecamefullyconvincedthathisbrushhadservedasatooloftheDevil；andthataportionoftheusurer”svitalityhadactuallypassedintotheportrait，andwasnowtroublingpeople，inspiringdiabolicalexcitement，beguilingpaintersfromthetruepath，producingthefearfultormentsofenvy，andsoforth。Threecatastropheswhichoccurredafterwards，threesuddendeathsofwife，daughter，andinfantson，heregardedasadivinepunishmentonhim，andfirmlyresolvedtowithdrawfromtheworld。

“AssoonasIwasnineyearsold，heplacedmeinanacademyofpainting，and，payingallhisdebts，retiredtoalonelycloister，wherehesoonafterwardstookthevows。Thereheamazedeveryonebythestrictnessofhislife，andhisuntiringobservanceofallthemonasticrules。Thepriorofthemonastery，hearingofhisskillinpainting，orderedhimtopainttheprincipalpictureinthechurch。

Butthehumblebrothersaidplainlythathewasunworthytotouchabrush，thathiswascontaminated，thatwithtoilandgreatsacrificemusthefirstpurifyhisspiritinordertorenderhimselffittoundertakesuchatask。Heincreasedtherigoursofmonasticlifeforhimselfasmuchaspossible。Atlast，eventheybecameinsufficient，andheretired，withtheapprovaloftheprior，intothedesert，inordertobequitealone。Thereheconstructedhimselfacellfrombranchesoftrees，ateonlyuncookedroots，draggedaboutastonefromplacetoplace，stoodinonespotwithhishandsliftedtoheaven，fromtherisinguntilthegoingdownofthesun，recitingprayerswithoutcessation。Inthismannerdidheforseveralyearsexhausthisbody，invigoratingit，atthesametime，withthestrengthofferventprayer。

“Atlength，onedayhereturnedtothecloister，andsaidfirmlytotheprior，”NowIamready。IfGodwills，Iwillfinishmytask。”ThesubjectheselectedwastheBirthofChrist。Awholeyearhesatoverit，withoutleavinghiscell，barelysustaininghimselfwithcoarsefood，andprayingincessantly。Attheendoftheyearthepicturewasready。Itwasareallywonderfulwork。Neitherpriornorbrethrenknewmuchaboutpainting；butallwerestruckwiththemarvellousholinessofthefigures。TheexpressionofreverenthumilityandgentlenessinthefaceoftheHolyMother，asshebentovertheChild；thedeepintelligenceintheeyesoftheHolyChild，asthoughhesawsomethingafar；thetriumphantsilenceoftheMagi，amazedbytheDivineMiracle，astheybowedathisfeet：andfinally，theindescribablepeacewhichemanatedfromthewholepicture——allthiswaspresentedwithsuchstrengthandbeauty，thattheimpressionitmadewasmagical。Allthebrethrenthrewthemselvesontheirkneesbeforeit；

andtheprior，deeplyaffected，exclaimed，”No，itisimpossibleforanyartist，withtheassistanceonlyofearthlyart，toproducesuchapicture：aholy，divinepowerhasguidedthybrush，andtheblessingofHeavenresteduponthylabour！”

“BythattimeIhadcompletedmyeducationattheacademy，receivedthegoldmedal，andwithitthejoyfulhopeofajourneytoItaly——thefairestdreamofatwenty-year-oldartist。Itonlyremainedformetotakeleaveofmyfather，fromwhomIhadbeenseparatedfortwelveyears。Iconfessthatevenhisimagehadlongfadedfrommymemory。I

hadheardsomewhatofhisgrimsaintliness，andratherexpectedtomeetahermitofroughexterior，astrangertoeverythingintheworld，excepthiscellandhisprayers，wornout，triedup，byeternalfastingandpenance。Buthowgreatwasmysurprisewhenahandsomeoldmanstoodbeforeme！Notracesofexhaustionwerevisibleonhiscountenance：itbeamedwiththelightofaheavenlyjoy。Hisbeard，whiteassnow，andhisthin，almosttransparenthairofthesamesilveryhue，fellpicturesquelyuponhisbreast，anduponthefoldsofhisblackgown，eventotheropewithwhichhispoormonasticgarbwasgirded。Butmostsurprisingtomeofallwastohearfromhismouthsuchwordsandthoughtsaboutartas，Iconfess，Ilongshallbearinmind，andIsincerelywishthatallmycomradeswoulddothesame。

“”Iexpectedyou，myson”hesaid，whenIapproachedforhisblessing。”Thepathawaitsyouinwhichyourlifeishenceforthtoflow。Yourpathispure——desertitnot。Youhavetalent：talentisthemostpricelessofGod”sgifts——destroyitnot。Searchout，subjectallthingstoyourbrush；butinallseethatyoufindthehiddensoul，andmostofall，strivetoattaintothegrandsecretofcreation。

Blessedistheelectonewhomastersthat！Thereisforhimnomeanobjectinnature。Inlowlythemestheartistcreatorisasgreatasingreatones：inthedespicablethereisnothingforhimtodespise，foritpassesthroughthepurifyingfireofhismind。AnintimationofGod”sheavenlyparadiseiscontainedfortheartistinart，andbythataloneisithigherthanallelse。Butbyasmuchastriumphantrestisgranderthaneveryearthlyemotion，bysomuchistheloftycreationofarthigherthaneverythingelseonearth。Sacrificeeverythingtoit，andloveitwithpassion——notwiththepassionbreathingwithearthlydesire，butapeaceful，heavenlypassion。Itcannotplantdiscordinthespirit，butascends，likearesoundingprayer，eternallytoGod。Buttherearemoments，darkmoments——”Hepaused，andIobservedthathisbrightfacedarkened，asthoughsomecloudcrosseditforamoment。”Thereisoneincidentofmylife”hesaid。”Uptothismoment，IcannotunderstandwhatthatterriblebeingwasofwhomIpaintedalikeness。Itwascertainlysomediabolicalapparition。IknowthattheworlddeniestheexistenceoftheDevil，andthereforeIwillnotspeakofhim。IwillonlysaythatIpaintedhimwithrepugnance：Ifeltnolikingformywork，evenatthetime。I

triedtoforcemyself，and，stiflingeveryemotioninahard-heartedway，tobetruetonature。Ihavebeeninformedthatthisportraitispassingfromhandtohand，andsowingunpleasantimpressions，inspiringartistswithfeelingsofenvy，ofdarkhatredtowardstheirbrethren，withmaliciousthirstforpersecutionandoppression。MaytheAlmightypreserveyoufromsuchpassions！Thereisnothingmoreterrible。”

“Heblessedandembracedme。NeverinmylifewasIsograndlymoved。

Reverently，ratherthanwiththefeelingofason，Ileaneduponhisbreast，andkissedhisscatteredsilverlocks。

“Tearsshoneinhiseyes。”Fulfilmyonerequest，myson”saidhe，atthemomentofparting。”YoumaychancetoseetheportraitIhavementionedsomewhere。Youwillknowitatoncebythestrangeeyes，andtheirpeculiarexpression。Destroyitatanycost。”

“JudgeforyourselveswhetherIcouldrefusetopromise，withanoath，tofulfilthisrequest。InthespaceoffifteenyearsIhadneversucceededinmeetingwithanythingwhichinanywaycorrespondedtothedescriptiongivenmebymyfather，untilnow，allofasudden，atanauction”

Theartistdidnotfinishhissentence，butturnedhiseyestothewallinordertoglanceoncemoreattheportrait。Theentirethrongofauditorsmadethesamemovement，seekingthewonderfulportraitwiththeireyes。But，totheirextremeamazement，itwasnolongeronthewall。Anindistinctmurmurandexclamationranthroughthecrowd，andthenwashearddistinctlytheword，“stolen。”Someonehadsucceededincarryingitoff，takingadvantageofthefactthattheattentionofthespectatorswasdistractedbythestory。Andthosepresentlongremainedinastateofsurprise，notknowingwhethertheyhadreallyseenthoseremarkableeyes，orwhetheritwassimplyadreamwhichhadfloatedforaninstantbeforetheireyesight，strainedwithlonggazingatoldpictures。