“book of costumes” and engaged me in a bout of vicious bargaining。 Having
agreed that morning upon a lesser…quality book of costumes for a price of
twenty silver pieces; I proceeded to illustrate a dozen Istanbulites in a single
sitting around the time of the evening prayer; paying particular attention to
the detail of their outfits。 I drew a Sheikhulislam; a palace porter; a preacher; a
Janissary; a dervish; a cavalryman; a judge; a liver seller; an executioner—
executioners in the act of torture sold quite well—a beggar; a woman bound
for the hamam; and an opium addict。 I’d done so many of these books just to
earn a few extra silver pieces that I began to invent games for myself to fight
off boredom while I drew; for example; I forced myself to draw the judge
without lifting my pen off the page or to draw the beggar with my eyes closed。
All brigands; poets and men of constant sorrow know that when the
evening prayer is called the jinns and demons within them will grow agitated
and rebellious; urging in unision: “Out! Outside!” This restless inner voice
demands; “Seek the pany of others; seek blackness; misery and disgrace。”
I’ve spent my time appeasing these jinns and demons。 I’ve painted pictures;
which many regard as miracles that have issued from my hands; with the he