artists from the four corners of the world； men of all

natures and temperaments； in such harmony that you’ve ended up creating

and　defining　the　Ottoman　style。”

Why　did　the　awe　that　I’d　felt　wholeheartedly　only　a　short　time　ago　give　way

to　hypocrisy　as　I　voiced　my　feelings？　For　our　praise　of　a　man；　whose　talent　and

mastery genuinely astounds us； to be sincere； must he lose most of his

authority　and　influence　and　bee　slightly　pathetic？

“Now　then；　where’s　that　dwarf　hiding？”　he　said。

He　said　this　the　way　powerful　men　who　are　pleased　by　flattery　and　praise

but　recollect　vaguely　that　they　ought　not　be　would—as　though　he　wished　to

change　the　subject。

“Despite　being　a　great　master　of　Persian　legends　and　styles；　you’ve　created　a

distinct world of illustration worthy of Ottoman glory and strength；” I

whispered。 “You’re the one who brought to art the power of the Ottoman

sword；　the　optimistic　colors　of　Ottoman　victory；　the　interest　in　and　attention

to objects and implements； and the freedom of a fortable lifestyle。 My

dear master； it’s been the greatest honor of my life to look at these

masterpieces　by　the　old　legendary　masters　with　you…”

For　a　long　time　I　whispered　on　in　this　manner。　Within　the　icy　darkness　and

cluttered disarray of the Treasury； which resembled a recen