30 Days: Albert Hoffman 1906-2008

By Mark Kaufman
Portrait of Albert Hoffman, the Swiss chemist who first synthesized and ingested lysergic acid diethylamide {LSD}.  I opted to use a chart of pupil sizes of an LSD user as Dr. Hoffmans eyes for 2 reasons; 1. to highlight the science behind LSD and the search for enlightenment and 2. because most illustration of the good doctor uses hackneyed psychedelic, tie-dye backgrounds which in my mind trivialize the man and his life-long efforts. The diagram over his eyes comes from a 1955 Scientific American article by staff of the Boston Psychopathic Hospital which can be found at the terrific Modern Mechanix blog. In addition to several charts from the Boston study there are also some remarkable drawings by subjects under the influence, which are hauntingly beautiful. Thanks to Modern Mechanix, Scientific American, Boston Psychopathic and Dr. H.