Fabio C. :: DISNEY, LE GRANDI PARODIE

Il Doctor Paperus portfolio illustration - Donald Duck

Artist: Luciano Bottaro (All)

3 Comments - 1,562 Views - 2 Likes

Il Doctor Paperus portfolio illustration - Donald Duck Comic Art

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Additional Images:

Il Doctor Paperus portfolio

portfolio published illustration

Dottor Paperus page

"Il Dottor Paperus" book by Panini (2024)

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Artwork Details

Title:	Il Doctor Paperus portfolio illustration - Donald Duck
Artist:	Luciano Bottaro (All)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Illustration
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	1,562
Likes on CAF:	2 3
Comments:	3
Added to Site:	6/28/2020
Comic Art Archive:

Description

This is one of the three pencil & ink illustrations created by Luciano Bottaro in the '90s for the portfolio "Il Doctor Paperus" containing three lithographs with Donald Duck.
The illustrations are all inspired by the "Il Dottor Paperus" comic story by Walt Disney Italia, created by Luciano Bottaro and published for the first time in Topolino (Mickey Mouse) magazine n� 188-189, in 1958.

The protagonist is an ancestor of Donald Duck and the story is a comic parody of Goethe's "Faust".

Paperus lived in an unspecified place in Europe in the dark feudal Middle Ages. He spent his very long life (claims to have been working on his projects for ninety years, so at the time of history we must assume centenary) among alchemy studies, in particular trying, without success, to invent a filter capable of ensuring eternal peace to humanity.
Paperus was the victim of a deception by the devil Mephistopheles, intent on perpetuating the war that then raged between two rival fiefdoms and then interrupting the alchemist's studies: the duck would regain his youth by giving his soul back to the infernal forces. Like Goethian Faust, Paperus will eventually manage to escape damnation, but, in the Disney tradition of Donald Duck and the characters inspired by him, he will see his hopes of happiness - especially that of marrying the beautiful Margherita - vanish.
Subsequently (in Donald Duck and the continuation of the story) Paperus, depressed by the fact that no one believes that he is the mysterious knight who saved Margherita, is seduced by a beautiful duck with black hair (actually the witch Hazel in disguise) who restores his youth.
Subsequently, the Duke declares war on the masnada, accusing them of the kidnapping of his granddaughter (actually captured and transformed into a butterfly by Hazel on behalf of Mephistopheles to start a war between the two fiefdoms) and Paperus joins (unique in the whole kingdom) for saving it by going to the castle of the masnada only with the squire/cook/handyman Gus Goose, not being taken seriously by the enemies (which is why Hazel sends an army of monsters to his aid). However, the time of Hazel's spells, marked by the magic hourglass, ends: Paperus is old, the witch and Margherita recover their appearance and the monsters disappear, forcing the doctor to return home defeated and knocked down.

The scene in this illustration is one of my favorites in the original story when the rejuvenated Paperus is brought back to the king of Hell (you can see a scan of the story page in the additional images).
Even though the story and this illustration are almost 40 years apart, Bottaro's style doesn't cease to amaze. Rapallo's Master truly is one of the Giants for me.

It is also printed in Panini's "Il Dottor Paperus" book (2024), which reprints both the original story and the sequel.

Please also check a stunning Dottor Paperus commission illustrated by Fabio Celoni that focuses on the moment of Paperus' rejuvenation in witch Hazel's mansion, together with Mephistopheles and many weird creatures.

Huge thanks to Francesco!!!

Paper size: 33 x 48 cm

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About the Owner

	Fabio C. Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	July 2005
Last Login:	September 2025
Country:	ITALY
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Comments on this Artwork

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Davide G.
Member Since 2009

1 - Posted on 6/29/2020

Fantastic piece by one of the best Disney artists ever, huge congrats!

Al Simpleton
Member Since 2013

1 - Posted on 7/21/2020

Brilliant ! A true gem...

Antonio Menici
Member Since 2006

1 - Posted on 12/3/2020

Beautiful! What a genius!

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