第42部分(第1/7 頁)

butchers；　soldiers；　priests　and　grocers　in　all　the　Frankish　lands…They　all　have

their portraits made this way。 Just a glance at those paintings and you too

would want to see yourself this way； you’d want to believe that you’re

different from all others； a unique； special and particuliar human being。

Painting　people；　not　as　they　are　perceived　by　the　mind；　but　as　they　are　actually

seen　by　the　naked　eye；　painting　in　the　new　method；　allows　for　this　possibility。

One day everyone will paint as they do。 When ”painting‘ is mentioned； the

world will think of their work！ Even a poor foolish tailor who understands

nothing of illustrating will want such a portrait so he might be convinced；

upon　seeing　the　unique　curve　of　his　nose；　that　he’s　not　an　ordinary　simpleton；

but　an　extraordinary　man。“

“So？　We　can　make　that　portrait；　as　well；”　quipped　the　witty　assassin。

187

“We won’t！” I replied。 “Haven’t you learned from your victim； the late

Elegant Effendi； how afraid we are of being labeled imitators of the Franks？

Even　if　we　venture　bravely　to　paint　like　them；　it’ll　amount　to　the　same　thing。

In the end； our methods will die out； our colors will fade。 No one will care

about　our　books　and　our　paintings；　and　those　who　do　express　interest　will　ask

with　a　sneer；　with　no　understanding　whatsoever；　why　there’s　no　perspective—

or　else　they　won’t　be　able　to　find　the　manuscripts　at　all。　Indifference；　time　and

disaster will destroy our art。 The Arabian glue used in the bindings contains

fish；　honey　and　bone；　and　the　pages　are　siz