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s　for　the　sake　of　respect；

to influence how others see them。 During this period； they educate

themselves。　During　the　second　phase；　they　mission　books　to　satisfy　their

own tastes。 Because they’ve learned sincerely to enjoy paintings； they amass

prestige while at the same time amassing books； which； after their deaths；

ensure　the　persistence　of　their　renown　in　this　world。　However；　in　the　autumn

of a sultan’s life； he no longer concerns himself with the persistence of his

worldly immortality。 By ”worldly immortality‘ I mean the desire to be

remembered　by　future　generations；　by　our　grandchildren。　Rulers　who　admire

miniatures and books have already acquired an immortality through the

manuscripts　they’ve　missioned　from　us—upon　whose　pages　they’ve　had

their　names　inserted；　and；　at　times；　their　histories　written。　Later；　each　of　them

es　to　the　conclusion　that　painting　is　an　obstacle　to　securing　a　place　in　the

Otherworld； naturally something they all desire。 This is what bothers and

intimidates me the most。 Shah Tahmasp； who was himself a master

miniaturist and spent his youth in his own workshop； closed down his

magnificent atelier as his death approached； chased his divinely inspired

painters from Tabriz； destroyed the books he had produced and suffered

interminable　crises　of　regret。　Why　did　they　all　believe　that　painting　would　bar

them　from　the　gates　of　Heaven？“

“You know quite well why！ Because they remembered Our Prophet’s

warning　that　on　Judgment　Day；　Allah　will　punish　painters　most　severel