Kunal Basu

“The human artist must copy in miniature what the supreme artist [God] has created -- He is the first artist who revealed the power of light, adorned an album with leaves of the universe. Did He adorn the despots as well? The soldiers blinding their prisoners? Which colour and brush had He used to draw the executioners, the spies who lived simply to betray others, the men who stole children to sell as slaves? Bihzad held his hands before his eyes. From his childhood he had been told of the genius of these fingers. He examined them one by one. Of all the paintings they had touched, he couldn't think of one that was free of the lies he had learned as a child. 'He has drawn an imperfect universe,' he whispered to himself. 'Better never to draw than imitate His strange pleasure.”
― Kunal Basu, The Miniaturist

“Wherever he went, Bihzad saw the same men. Their faces, colours and names changed, but he recognised them instantly. Among the merchants and generals, beggars and saints, he saw the same urges. What would make a merchant different from another, when the same greed flowed in them all? How could one tell one thief from another? A murderous general from his rival? What was the use of drawing a face with minute care, when it was no different from another face? Finally, as his old teacher had taught, Bihzad saw their true selves.”
― Kunal Basu, The Miniaturist