Few pieces of memorabilia have been preserved in the room where Mikhail Bulgakov and his wife, Tatiana Lappa, lived from 1921 to 1924. That was a difficult time for the couple: they were not able to afford clothes or even food. Apartment No. 50 at 10 Bolshaya Sadovaya, became known as the “The Bad Apartment” or “The Haunted Flat” thanks to Bulgakov’s stories and feuilletons, and, of course, his novel “The Master and Margarita”.

This large desk, which did not stand in Bulgakov’s room during his lifetime, was originally owned by his uncle, Nikolay Mikhailovich Pokrovsky. Pokrovsky was a famous doctor in Moscow. In the early 1920s, Bulgakov would often visit his uncle at his apartment in Prechistenka Street. He loved that area of the city and the cozy apartment itself. Although Bulgakov did not want to be in debt, he would sometimes ask his uncle for food. During his first hungry winter in Moscow, in 1922, Bulgakov mentioned in his diary,

Professor Preobrazhensky, the protagonist of the famous story “The Heart of a Dog, ” took many traits from one of his real-life prototypes — Nikolay Pokrovsky.

Like Pokrovsky, Professor Preobrazhensky lived on the corner of Prechistenka and Obukhov Lane, treated patients at home, sported a magnificent mustache, and wore pince-nez. He was of an extremely excitable nature, loved to sing opera arias, knew a great deal about fine cuisine, and lived in his seven-room apartment with great comfort.

Just as in Pokrovsky’s case, city authorities attempted to turn professor’s rooms into a communal apartment. In the story, Preobrazhensky managed to keep his rooms to himself. His prototype, however, was not as fortunate. In March of 1922, Bulgakov wrote to his sister, Nadezhda,

The similarities between Pokrovsky and Preobrazhensky were obvious, “As soon as I started reading, I immediately recognized that it was him [Pokrovsky]. He was just as grumpy, he always hummed something, and his nostrils flared. His mustache was also just as bushy. In general, he was very cute,” recalled Tatiana Lappa.

After reading “The Heart of a Dog”, Pokrovsky recognized himself in the character and was rather upset with his nephew. However, over time, their relationship improved.