Abstract: With generations of critics' relentless effort in the exploration of Gogol's literary legacy, Gogol's rich artistic “portrays” are exposed in diverse dimensions. The highlight of Gogol's art is embodied in his presentation of the physical and metaphysical existences, skillful revelation of the dissection and differentiation of reality and vivid demonstration of astonishing crushing and suffocating of life, and the iconic narration of the absurd process of petrifaction and castration. The “tearful laughter” is more “meaningful than humor and irony”; the “tasteful” smile possesses metaphysical meaning with the magic power of scourging the philistinism and purging the soul. The “tearful laughter” pregnant with “metaphysical meaning” calls on generations of readers to be immersed in Gogol's literary world.

Key words: N. V. Gogol, sketch of artistic portrait, physical irony, metaphysical meaning