maybe by the sultan’s favorite in the harem—and that they were legendary for
a time！ I’m also convinced that for this very reason all the mediocre
miniaturists； muttering enviously to themselves； imitated this horse and
multiplied its image。 In this fashion； the wonderful horse with its nostrils
gradually became a model of form ingrained in the minds of the artists in that
workshop。 Years later； after their rulers were defeated in battle； these painters；
like somber women headed to other harems； found new shahs and princes to
work for in new countries； and carried with them； stowed in their memories；
the image of horses whose nostrils were elegantly cut open。 Perhaps under the
influence of different styles and different masters in different workshops；
many of the artists never made use of and eventually forgot this unusual
image which noheless remained preserved in a corner of their minds。
Others； however； in the new workshops they joined； not only drew elegant
clipped…nosed horses； they also taught their pretty apprentices to do the same
with the encouragement that ”this is how the old masters used to do it。“ So
then； in this manner； even after the Mongols and their hardy horses retreated
from the lands of the Persians and Arabs； even centuries after new lives had
begun in ravaged and burned cities； some painters continued drawing horses
this way； believing it was a standard form。 I’m also sure that others still；
pletely unaongol cavalry and the clipped noses
of their steeds； draw horses the way we do in our workshop； insisting th