bond；　struggle　and　promise。　The　birth　of　a　new　style　is　the　result　of　years

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of disagreements； jealousies； rivalries and studies in color and painting。

Generally；　it’ll　be　the　most　gifted　member　of　the　workshop　who　fathers　this

form。 Let’s also call him the most fortunate。 To the rest of the miniaturists

falls　the　singular　duty　of　perfecting　and　refining　this　style　through　perpetual

imitation。”

Unable to look me straight in the eye； he assumed an unexpected gentle

manner； and begging my passion as much as my honesty； he asked me；

trembling　like　a　maiden：

“Do　I　have　a　style　of　my　own？”

I　thought　tears　would　flow　from　my　eyes。　With　all　the　gentleness；　sympathy

and　kindness　I　could　muster；　I　hastened　to　tell　him　what　I　believed　to　be　the

truth：

“You are the most talented； divinely inspired artist with the most

enchanted　touch　and　eye　for　detail　that　I’ve　seen　in　all　my　sixty　years。　If　you

put　a　painting　before　me　which　had　seen　the　bined　work　of　a　thousand

miniaturists；　I’d　still　be　able　to　recognize　instantly　the　God…given　magnificence

of　your　pen。”

“Agreed；　but　I　know　you’re　not　wise　enough　to　appreciate　the　mystery　of

my skill；” he said。 “You’re lying； now； because you’re afraid of me。 Describe；

once　again；　the　character　of　my　methods。”

“Your　pen　selects