the　right　line　seemingly　of　its　own　accord；　as　if　without

your　touch。　What　your　pen　draws　is　neither　truthful　nor　frivolous！　When　you

portray　a　crowded　gathering；　the　tension　emerging　from　the　glances　between

figures； their positioning on the page and the meaning of the text

metamorphose into an elegant eternal whisper。 I return to your paintings

again　and　again　to　hear　that　whisper；　and　each　time；　I　realize　with　a　smile　that

the　meaning　has　changed；　and　how　shall　I　put　it；　I　begin　to　read　the　painting

anew。　When　these　layers　of　meaning　are　taken　together；　a　depth　emerges　that

surpasses　even　the　perspectivism　of　the　European　masters。”

“Fine and well。 Forget about the European masters。 Start from the

beginning。”

“You have such a truly magnificent and forceful line； that the observer

believes　in　what　you’ve　painted　rather　than　in　reality　itself。　And　just　as　your

talent could create a picture that would force the most devout man to

renounce his faith； it could also bring the most hopeless； unrepentant

unbeliever　to　Allah’s　path。”

185

“True；　but　I’m　not　sure　that　amounts　to　praise。　Try　again。”

“There’s　no　miniaturist　who　knows　the　consistency　of　paint　and　its　secrets

as well as you do。 You always prepare and apply the glossiest； most vibrant；

most　genuine