Paul was also themasterof playing down hisown achievements, be it his boxing exploits, his archaeological knowledge or the fact that he became a very successful author.
It would be fun to see what theMaster would do in outrageous reporting ofthe events surrounding hisown empire if hisown conscience were allowed to run free.
Beyond his predecessors, Hals was the first virtuoso ofthe visible brushstroke, but no other Old Master seems to have made art so little for hisown fulfillment.