sensitivity and faith in his own palette could resist the Veian artistry that
duped the viewer by trying to depict reality itself rather than its
representation; in all its detail: pictures; shadows included; of cardinals;
bridges; rowboats; candlesticks; churches and stables; oxen and carriage
wheels; as if all of them were of the same importance to Allah。
“Was there ever a time when you visited him unannounced as you had with
the others?”
“Whosoever looks upon Butterfly’s work will quickly sense that he
understands the value of love as well as the meaning of heartfelt joy and
sorrow。 But as with all lovers of color; he gets carried away with his emotions
and is fickle。 Because I was so enamored of his God…given and miraculous
talent; of his sensitivity to color; I paid close attention to him in his youth and
know everything there is to know about him。 Of course; in such situations; the
other miniaturists quickly bee jealous and the master…disciple relationship
bees strained and damaged。 There were many moments of love during
which Butterfly did not fear what others might say。 Recently; since he married
the neighborhood fruit seller’s pretty daughter; I’ve neither felt the desire to
go see him; nor have I had the chance。”
“Rumor has it that he’s in league with the followers of the Hoja from
Erzurum;” Black said。 “They say he stands to gain a lot if the Hoja and his men
284
declare certain works inpatible with religion; and thereby; outlaw our
books—which depict battles; weapons; bloody scenes and routine ceremonies;
not to mention parades including everyone from chefs to magicians; dervishes
to boy dancers; and kebab makers to locksmiths—and confine us to the
subjects and forms of the old Persian masters。”
“Even if we returned skillfully and victoriously to those wondrous paintings
of Tamerlane’s time; even if we returned to that life and vocation in all its
minutia—as bright Stork would best be able to do after me—in the final
analysis; all of it’ll be forgotten;” I said mercilessly; “because everybody will
want to paint like the Europeans。”
Did I actually believe these words of damnation?
“My Enishte believed the same;” Black confessed meekly; “yet it filled him
with hope。”
The Attributes of Stork
I’ve seen him sign his name as the Sinning Painter Mustafa Chelebi。 Without
paying any mind to whether he had or ought to have a style; whether it should
be identified with a signature or; like the old masters; remain anonymous; or