Books by Clive Barker Galilee Forms of Heaven Sacrament ...

"Thanks," said Gentle sourly.
"You know it's true." Klein switched on the light. Therewere three canvases, all unframed, in the room.
One, anude woman after the style of Modigliani. Beside it, a smalllandscape after Corot. But the third,
and largest of thethree, was the coup. It was a pastoral scene, depicting clas?sically garbed shepherds
standing, in awe, before a tree inthe trunk of which a human face was visible.
"Would you know it from a real Poussin?"
"Is it still wet?" Gentle asked.
"Such a wit."
Gentle went to give the painting a more intimate exami?nation. This period was not one he was
particularly expertin, but he knew enough to be impressed by the handiwork.The canvas was a close
weave, the paint laid upon it in care?ful regular strokes, the tones built up, it seemed, in glazes.
"Meticulous, eh?" said Klein.
"To the point of being mechanical."
"Now, now, no sour grapes."
"I mean it. It's just too perfect for words. You put this inthe market and the game's up. Now, the
Modigliani's an?other matter—"
"That was a technical exercise," Klein said. "I can't sell that. The man only painted a dozen pictures. It's
the Pous?sin I'm betting on."
"Don't. You'll get stung. Mind if I get another drink?"
Gentle headed back through the house to the lounge,Klein following, muttering to himself.
"You've got a good eye. Gentle," he said, "but you'reunreliable. You'll find another woman and off you'll
go."
"Not this time."
IMAJICA 19
"And I wasn't kidding about the market. There's noroom for bullshit."
"Did you ever have a problem with a piece I painted?"
Klein mused on this. "No," he admitted.
"I've got a Gauguin in New York. Those Fuseli sketchesI did—"
"Berlin. Oh, yes, you've made your little mark."
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