STEPPENWOLF
Hermann Hesse
Acrylic
Pencil
Adobe Photoshop
3x3 Magazine Annual No. 18 Merit Award
World Illustration Awards 2021: Shortlist
iJungle Award: New Talent - Merit Award
I chose to illustrate Steppenwolf for my Bachelor Project as a dedication to one of my favourite authors - Hermann Hesse.
Most of his novels deal with the existential questions about self search and self recreation. Meanwhile, Steppenwolf offers an example of psychological rejuvenation from the stresses of modern life.
The story of Harry Haller
Steppenwolf is the story about an almost fifty-year-old man, who feels like an Outsider of the society he was born in and constantly has suicidal thoughts. Everything changes when he meets his counterpart - Hermine and is exposed to the "real world" from which his solitary life has removed him.
(Click on image to enlarge)
Treatise on the steppenwolf
The Treatise of Steppenwolf is a flyer, which Harry Haller receives from an unknown man when he wanders the city at night. He is totally stunned as he discovers what's written inside this small booklet.
The Treatise describes the struggle of a man called 'Harry', who "went on two legs, wore clothes and was a human being. Nevertheless, he really was a wolf of the steppes." The treatise is like a written portrait of Harry Haller, of his human and wolf nature preying on each other inside his head. This, is the inner world of Harry Haller. This, is Steppenwolf.
(Click on image to enlarge)
"My doctrine says, the task is to live your life in such a way that you must wish to live it again - for you will anyway! If striving gives you the highest feeling, then strive! If rest gives you the highest feeling, then rest! If fitting in, following and obeying give you the highest feeling, then obey!"
- Friedrich Nietzsche -
Some example pages of the book.
