Nikolay Korolevbehance.netThis is a collection of illustrations by Nikolay Korolev, a graduate of the Kuybyshev Art College.
For several years, I would come across miniatures of these wonderful watercolors on the internet. They were so miniature that, when you looked at them, you couldn't understand anything except for the fact that they were undoubtedly created by a tremendously talented artist. It was only on Bulgakov’s 120th anniversary (in 2011) that the artist's works for the novel appeared online in decent quality. What a wonderful gift for the anniversary!
By the way, for these illustrations, in 2009, Nikolay Korolev won first place at the international graphic competition 5th Russian Art Week in the Printing Design category.
At the Patriarch's Ponds
”Berlioz immediately realized what he should do. Leaning back against the bench, he winked behind the professor’s back at Bezdomny—don’t contradict him, he meant—but the confused poet did not understand these signals.”
Pilate Announces the Verdict
”He waited for a while, knowing that no force could silence the crowd until it had exhaled everything that had accumulated inside and fell silent on its own. And when that moment came, the procurator flung his right hand into the air, and the last noise was blown away from the crowd.”
A Satisfied Koroviev Gazes at Berlioz's Surprised Head
”The moon flashed one last time, but it was already falling apart, and then it grew dark.”
Ivanushka in the "Griboyedov"
”‘Brothers in literature! (his hoarse voice grew stronger and more fervent) Listen to me, all of you! He has appeared! Catch him immediately, or he will cause indescribable calamities!‘“
(In the foreground, by all appearances, Bulgakov himself is tucking into some perch à la nature)
Woland's Gang Settles in Styopa Likhodeyev's Apartment
“The guest was no longer alone in the bedroom, but in company. The same type who had appeared in the hall was sitting in a second armchair. He was now clearly visible: a mustache like feathers, a monocle gleaming, but the other lens was missing. But there were even worse things in the bedroom: on the jeweler's pouffe, sprawling in a relaxed pose, was a third person, namely, a black cat of monstrous size with a shot of vodka in one paw and a fork, on which he had managed to spear a pickled mushroom, in the other.”
The Splitting of Ivan
“‘Now, now, now,‘ the old Ivan suddenly said somewhere, either inside or near the ear, to the new Ivan, ‘he did know in advance that Berlioz would have his head cut off, after all, didn't he? How could you not be upset?’”
The Conversation Between the Master and Ivan
“The guest was sad and fidgeted for a long time, but finally he spoke:
‘You see, it's a strange story, I'm sitting here for the same reason you are, namely, because of Pontius Pilate.’”
Hella Comes to Visit Rimsky
”The window frame flew wide open, but instead of night's freshness and the scent of lindens, a smell of a cellar burst into the room. The deceased woman stepped onto the windowsill.”
The “Naughty Apartment” Through the Eyes of the Variety Theater Bartender
“Upon entering the place he had been invited to, the bartender even forgot his purpose, so struck was he by the room's decor. Through the colored glass of the large windows (the fantasy of the jeweler who had disappeared without a trace) poured an unusual, church-like light. In the ancient, enormous fireplace, firewood blazed despite the hot spring day. Before the fireplace, on a tiger skin, a huge black cat sat, blinking contentedly at the fire. By the fireplace, a small red-haired man with a knife at his belt was roasting pieces of meat on a long steel sword, and the juice dripped into the fire.”
After the Execution
“Twilight fell, and lightning furrowed the black sky. Suddenly, fire burst from it, and the centurion's cry, ‘Take off the chain!’ was drowned in the roar. The happy soldiers rushed down the hill, putting on their helmets.”
The Death of Judas
“The lifeless body lay with its arms outstretched. The left foot had fallen into a patch of moonlight, so that every strap of the sandal was clearly visible.”
Margarita at the Mirror
“Margarita Nikolaevna placed the photograph on the three-part mirror and sat for about an hour, holding the fire-damaged notebook on her knees, turning its pages and rereading what, after the burning, had neither beginning nor end.”
Margarita Before the Flight to the Ball
“Margarita tore the curtain aside and sat sideways on the windowsill, wrapping her arms around her knees. The moonlight licked her right side. Margarita raised her head to the moon and put on a thoughtful and poetic expression. After admiring the moon for a little while longer, and sighing for good measure, Margarita turned her head toward the garden and indeed saw Nikolai Ivanovich, who lived on the ground floor of that same mansion. The moon brightly illuminated Nikolai Ivanovich. He was sitting on a bench, and it was clear from his posture that he had dropped onto it suddenly. His pince-nez was somehow askew on his face, and he was clutching his briefcase in his hands.”
Natasha on a Boar
“A heavy sound of air being torn apart was heard from behind and began to catch up to Margarita. Gradually, a woman's laughter, audible for many miles, joined this sound of something flying like a projectile. Margarita looked back and saw that some complex dark object was catching up to her. As it drew nearer, it became more and more distinct; it became clear that someone was flying on something. And at last, it became completely clear. Slowing down, Natasha caught up with Margarita. She was completely naked, with her disheveled hair flying in the air, riding a fat boar who was clutching a briefcase with his front hooves and viciously thrashing the air with his back ones.”
Wine in a Chalice Made from Berlioz's Skull
“Woland was now in some kind of black chlamys with a steel sword on his hip. He quickly approached Margarita, held out the chalice to her, and said imperiously: "Drink!" Margarita's head spun, she swayed, but the chalice was already at her lips.”
The Chekists Arrest Behemoth
“I challenge you to a duel!" the cat howled, flying over their heads on a swinging chandelier, and then a Browning pistol was in his paws again, and he had nestled the primus stove between the chandelier's branches. The cat took aim and, swinging like a pendulum over the heads of the newcomers, opened fire on them.”
The Final Refuge for the Master and the Moonbeam Path for Pilate
“From the bed to the window, a wide moonbeam path stretches out, and a man in a white cloak with a blood-red lining rises onto this path and begins to walk towards the moon. Beside him walks a young man in a torn chiton and with a disfigured face. The two walking are talking about something heatedly, arguing, trying to come to an agreement about something.”
