第16部分(第6/7 頁)

rist’s love； to his

picture　is　not　ultimately　imperfection　or　flaw　but　a　new　artistic　rule。　Because；

after　a　time　and　through　imitation；　everyone　will　begin　to　depict　the　faces　of

maidens　just　like　that　particular　beautiful　maiden’s　face。”

We　fell　silent。　I　saw　that　Black；　who’d　listened　intently　to　the　three　parables

I recounted； had now focused his attentions upon the sounds my attractive

wife made as she roamed the hallway and the next room。 I glared at him

menacingly。

“The　first　story　established　that　”style‘　is　imperfection；“　I　said。　”The　second

story established that a perfect picture needs no signature； and the third

marries the ideas of the first and the second； and thus demonstrates that

“signature’ and ”style‘ are but means of being brazenly and stupidly self…

congratulatory　about　flawed　work。“

How much did this man； to whom I’d just given an invaluable lesson；

understand of painting？ I said： “Have you understood who I am from my

stories？”

“Certainly；”　he　said；　without　conviction。

74

So you don’t try to discern who I am through his eyes and perceptions；

allow　me　to　tell　you　directly。　I　can　do　anything。　Like　the　old　masters　of　Kazvin；

I　can　draw　and　color　with　pleasure　and　glee。　I　say　this　with　a　smile：　I’m　better

than　everybody。　I　have　nothing　whatsoever　to　do　with　the　reason　for　Black’s

visit；　which—if　perchance　my　intuition　serves　me　correctly—is　the　disappear…

ance　of　Elegant　Effendi　the　Gilder。

Black　asked　me　about　the　mixing　of　marriage　and　art。

I work a lot and I enjoy my work。