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。
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“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