Almighty painter

Chapter 873 Alexander's Life and Death Sign (Part )

It's the same dressing room as all the actresses in the world.

There was a faint scent of perfume in the room. The scent of the clothes and jewelry of the beautiful girls who had passed by had stained the background of the whole house. There was also the smell of the sea breeze outside the window, the smell of the grass on the windowsill, and the ethereal smell of the gold dust in the sun.

And, there was a big black and white spotted dog in front of him.

When it brushed its upper body on its paws, grinned, bared its teeth, and made a low humming sound in its throat, it gave off a dangerous aura that made those around it tremble with fear.

August seemed to have received some silent signal.

The moment Secretary Elliot brought him in, he jumped off the man's legs in the corner and stood in front of it with his tail raised, like a giant wolf under the queen's throne.

Alexander looked at the scene in front of him, his heart beating hard in his chest.

All of this was beyond the Danes' own expectations.

On the stage, he was not treated more "rudely", even though he was like a flower in the wind and rain, blown to pieces and scattered.

But Alexander was actually somewhat relieved.

Yes.

He also wants to thank Miss Elena.

The origin of this masochistic feeling is difficult to explain. If something must be said, it is that Alexander felt that he had been subjected to academic judgment by the art editor-in-chief of "Oil Painting" magazine, but had not been subjected to private judgment with anger from Elena's family.

The former would merely blow him away, but as for the latter... he thought he would be thrown into the furnace and burned to ashes.

Change to the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

If you encounter such a thing in a rural area, it would be really difficult to deal with it. The lord's servants might come to your door with muskets in the middle of the night. Well, for a real "imperial" earl, it might be the same in a big city.

Could it be that this is waiting for him here?

Alexander stood there, not daring to move, watching the Springer Spaniel display its shiny white fangs, feeling a phantom pain in his calves.

He had never seen such a majestic and scary dog ​​in his life.

While Alexander whispered to himself not to be afraid, it was just a dog, he also made a simple rational analysis and thought that the probability of Miss Elena being so angry that she would let the dog bite him was very low.

But not zero.

Thinking of this, Alexander's calves cramped even more. If the dog jumped on him, should he turn around and run or scream where he stood? Even if he screamed his throat out, no one would come to save him...

"August, what are you running around for?"

Anna waved.

He called the Springer Spaniel back, bent down and gently scratched the dog's ears to comfort it, feeling very proud.

Yeah.

This is her clever little dog, this is how her own August should perform normally.

"Is your dog called Augustus? This is the name of a Roman emperor. How majestic. What a beautiful dog. Do you have a pedigree certificate?"

Alexander looked at the dog in front of him licking Anna's wrist with its tongue flatteringly.

He doesn't mind licking his ass.

There is nothing shameful in licking Miss Elena. Besides, he has been embarrassed enough today, so this is not a big deal.

Alexander was just afraid that if he slid 360 degrees and knelt down to lick the art director of "Oil Painting", he would backfire and anger the other party. So he decided to save the situation in a roundabout way and lick Anna's dog first.

"A vassal of a vassal is not my vassal. A licker of a licker is also her licker."

Miss Elena didn't even raise her head.

She repeated without commenting, "Do you like detective novels?"

Alexander turned his head and looked at the young man who had landed. He recognized him the moment he entered the room.

Gu Weijing, the discoverer of "The Old Church on a Thunderstorm", came to this dressing room earlier than him and seemed to have stayed there for quite some time.

The Dane was not quite sure whether Miss Elena was asking herself or Gu Weijing.

He didn't dare to answer rashly.

Gu Weijing thought for a moment and said, "It's okay. When I was a child, my grandfather had a set of Raymond Chandler's novels on his bookshelf."

"Hard-bodied reasoning with a violent aesthetic?" Anna raised her eyebrows. "It doesn't suit your style. I thought you would prefer more mysterious ones."

He didn't know why that set of books was on his grandfather's bookshelf. Gu Tongxiang didn't look like the kind of person who liked to read detective novels. Was it because of the "tough guy" label on the cover? The old man especially liked literary works with a tough guy vibe.

Gu Weijing shrugged and ignored Miss Elena's sudden teasing.

The dressing room fell into a brief silence again.

Alexander tried to read the strange atmosphere in the air... and... didn't understand.

He paused for three seconds before speaking again tentatively, deciding to bring up his own topic.

Most likely, this is his last chance to ease the relationship.

After the interview, Alexander stayed backstage at the opera house for a long time and was reluctant to leave. Firstly, he didn't want to face the reporters outside, as he knew too well how embarrassing that would be. Secondly, he wanted to find an opportunity to see Anna again in private.

At least she could give me a few words before she leaves here.

From the beginning till now, from the moment Anna uttered the name "Kara von Elena", it was not a question of whether Alexander wanted to apologize or not.

But as soon as you leave this door.

It would be extremely difficult for him to meet the female host or flatter her in the future.

joke.

Can Alexander see her whenever he wants?

"Ms. Elena, I'm really, really sorry." He spoke in the most sincere tone he could think of, almost crying, "I'm sorry, and Mr. Gu, I... I don't know how to start. I'm really sorry about what happened on the stage. That was not my original intention, it's just, just..."

He stammered, "When I came here, I wanted to help you. I swear to God, I really meant it..."

Alexander glanced at Gu Weijing with sincere eyes, but deep in his heart he was filled with resentment.

Cui Xiaoming felt that Tang Ning had tricked him into coming here and killing him.

Alexander also felt that this was a real pig slaughtering bureau.

Son of bitch!
Why is he pretending to be a good guy? He clearly knows that the painting was painted by Kara from Elena's family, but he still acts like a good guy.

Alexander believed that Gu Weijing might have known about this matter from the very beginning, which was why he was so determined. Otherwise, why would he give up Camille and choose the unknown Kara as the protagonist of his paper?

Alexander hated this passerby the most.

but.

At this time, he was still going against the dogs of the Elena family. It was obviously too much to think clearly. Just like kneeling and licking August, at this moment, he still had to lick.

"I know that an apology is powerless, but if there is anything I can do to make it up to you and make you feel better, I will do anything."

"Anything," Alexander emphasized.

"Well, once I leave this room, I will immediately apologize to those reporters..."

Gu Weijing did not comment.

Miss Elena waved her hand, interrupting Alexander's chatter.

"What about you? Mr. Alexander, this question is also for you." Anna raised her head and asked casually, "Do you like detective novels?"

Alexander was confused by this unreasonable question.

He wondered what detective novels had to do with today's topic, some strange leap of thought from Miss Critic?

Or some kind of divination?
Liking different types of detective novels represents different types of personalities, just like drawing tarot cards?
Alexander didn't understand the true meaning of the other party's question, but he didn't dare not answer.

"Well, this... like... right?" He recalled the conversation that took place during today's interview. "I like Agatha Christie's novels very much. She is a great female writer. Of course, there are inevitably some marks of the times in her novels. As you said, a kind of unconscious dream talk -"

As Alexander spoke, his eyes remained on Anna's face.

Regrettably.

Miss Elena just listened to him expressionlessly, like a piece of cold ice. He really couldn't tell whether he had given the correct answer through the subtle changes in her expression. "——What about you?"

At the end of his words, Alexander asked carefully.

"I, I am not very interested in detective novels as a whole. I find them a little boring, but to be honest, I like Sherlock Holmes."

"The most old-school, classic detective. Who wouldn't like him?" Alexander immediately agreed, "He has an elegant and noble temperament."

Miss Elena still ignored Alexander. She reached out and took the tablet from Secretary Elliot.

"Just now, when you walked in, Mr. Alexander, a new notice was updated on the official website of Oil Painting Magazine. The content is about our interview on stage this time."

Anna changed the subject again, just as abruptly as she had brought up her last question.

Alexander didn't have time to think about the director's train of thought, and was immediately captured by what the woman said.

Anna turned on the screen of her tablet computer. A piece of text had already appeared on the homepage of "Oil Painting". With simple layout, it was particularly eye-catching on the official website of "Oil Painting" with its extremely exquisite layout design.

It seemed as if there was no time for any layout modification, and Miss Elena, with her authority as art director, ordered it to be uploaded immediately.

"Mr. Gu said that everyone gained a lot from this interview today. Including Kara, Camille, and even Monet."

"He said that throughout the history of art, people pay more attention to the great painters who have achieved success, and fewer people pay attention to the frustrated people who work just as hard in the art industry. People pay more attention to the successful people who are already in the spotlight, and fewer people pay attention to the shadows that are not illuminated by the bright light."

Anna looked at Gu Weijing.

“He said it would be better if people who wanted to do this kind of research on the less glamorous people in the art world were encouraged.”

"I think that sometimes pain is a necessary catalyst for achieving greatness. If you want to wear the crown, you must bear its weight. There is nothing to say about this. Mr. Gu said, does this kind of pain itself have its own unique cruelty? Even the artist's creation itself has the meaning of beautifying pain? For example, the famous "Woman with an Umbrella" or "Camille on the Dying"."

"The strong become stronger, and the weak become weaker, Matthew." Anna said: "Those great artists who are shining in the light are like magnets, attracting all the light around them, and perhaps deprive people of the ability to feel the joys and sorrows of those who are not so successful."

“These are the shadows of art.”

"We didn't convince each other, but that's okay. We both agree on one thing: genius does not exist in isolation. Just like a painter, he is the result of family, society, love, and all kinds of forces and struggles. When studying art history, one should feel both the power and the struggle."

“To feel for the reasons why they made the choices they made.”

“Therefore, the Foundation for the Lost will focus on this aspect for a long time to come. Art history is not just made up of people like Titian, Bernini, and Caravaggio. They are brilliant, important, and great. But at the same time, when they were painting the magnificent dome paintings of churches, there were many small painters in the world. There were many cheap painters in the painters’ guild who sold their works on an assembly line for one or two copper coins. Petty bourgeois families would also save money to leave portraits for their family members like taking photos. This is also part of art history. This can also represent the humanistic spirit. Just like Monet is not just Monet, he is a combination of family, friends, and everything he comes into contact with in daily life. Understanding them can also help us better understand Monet.”

“That, then, is the role of scholars.”

"They are constantly studying this society, and allowing people to continuously deepen their understanding of everything around them."

"In the coming years, the winners selected each year will include such an academic writer. We also hope that some scholars will pay attention to these aspects."

Anna said.

"You, you want me to write a book about Monet?"

Alexander frowned.

"No, to be precise, it was Mr. Gu who proposed this suggestion. He hopes that you will write a book about Camille. It seems that you are very good at this, right? In fact, looking back now, new documents are constantly being discovered. Camille, the most famous model in the history of Impressionism, is moving away from the simple model image and becoming more three-dimensional."

"Oil Painting Magazine will try its best to provide documentary assistance, but will not restrict the specific content. Not only you, but we will also fund many scholars to improve such research and select the best ones. Of course, our funds are limited."

"It may be free for you, but I don't think it matters. Isn't this what you want... you don't have money, so you give what you can, use your energy, to help Camille?"

Alexander was stunned when he first heard this.

After listening to it, I felt my hands and feet were cold.

When Alexander made that suggestion on stage, he didn't really mean to "help Camille."

He knew better than anyone else what was going on with his paper, and this was the thing - academic research occasionally makes mistakes, but generally speaking, the more people who study it, the more attention it receives, the less it is affected, and the clearer the conclusions will be.

Alexander originally wanted to create a big gimmick to attract attention.

As long as there is enough topicality and interest, conspiracy theories often have a market.

But now.

The situation is completely different from before.

The financial benefits no longer mattered to him. What Alexander wanted to do most was to completely cover up the matter and pretend that it had never happened and that he had simply made a mistake.

Isn't it okay to make mistakes when doing research?
He was unlucky and was trampled to death by the Elena family, which was not shameful.

Gu Weijing just wouldn't let him apologize, pretend to be pitiful, and then let the matter go. He insisted that Alexander fulfill what he had promised.

of course.

Alexander could continue to insist that Monet had stolen Camille's work and that the painting "Old Church in a Thunderstorm" was painted by Camille.

But he's not an idiot.

He would not do such research. Not to mention the problems with Elena's family, Alexander knew better than anyone else that he was just a third-rate scholar who spread rumors.

Now this scene.

With a foundation of tens of millions of euros and the Irina family as their backer, they don't need a researcher at all.

In front of those outstanding people who are truly engaged in research related to Impressionism, he will be contrasted like a clown who advocates flat earth because he is making trouble and cannot produce good works.

In fact.

Even if he didn't gossip, he couldn't write a good book. The attention brought by this award has nothing to do with Alexander, and he doesn't need a book of his own.

Gu Weijing just had to force Alexander to spend time and energy on writing, slapping himself in the face over and over again.

Do you know what is an academically literate and just research method? Do you know how to do research so that you can write different articles even with the same topic?

You realize how unfair what you're doing is to other real researchers, or to Kara, right?
So Mr. Alexander.

Why now you know.

I didn’t know that before.

Miss Irena took a pen and wrote the names "Monet and Camille" on the note paper and handed it to the other party. "That's it. It's a long article. I don't have any restrictions on your opinions, but please remember that if I think you are perfunctory about this matter, or lack the most basic academic spirit."

"I'm going to be really angry."

Anna didn't make any additional threats, just said that she would be very angry.

Instead, Alexander broke out in a cold sweat when he heard it.

He stood there hesitantly, his lips moving as if he wanted to say something to plead for mercy.

"Don't you want to?"

"No, I'm afraid. I'm afraid that I won't write well. It may be difficult for me to handle such a writing task, and... a long work may take several years. I, I..." Alexander struggled.

"Okay. I agree."

Anna nodded.

Surprisingly, the woman didn't seem angry at all. She just glanced at Gu Weijing smugly and put the note back.

"When Mr. Gu made this suggestion just now, I told him that I don't think you can handle such a writing task. Besides, this kind of research may last for several years. It is too cruel to ask Alexander to make such a contribution for free."

"not good."

Alexander didn't think that Anna's statement that he was incompetent was a slander at all. Instead, he smiled with gratitude.

Correct.

That's it.

Don't take me for granted.

"I think it's better to give you the money. The Elena Foundation has a long-term art aid project in Africa for a period of ten years, and has always lacked sufficient manpower. Now, I offer you a job opportunity. Elliot will contact you about the details. I will provide you with a promotion opportunity, provided that you do well enough, but the basic salary will be relatively low..."

Anna scribbled the name of the art project on another note.

Two sticky notes placed together.

It's like a life and death lottery.

(End of this chapter)