CH27

"In short, my opinion is that it's impossible to know the answer."

"Impossible to know?"

Martin nodded emphatically at my question.

"Yes. I can't tell if it's authentic or a forgery. That's why I wanted to challenge the professor."

"If you can't determine its authenticity, how can you draw a conclusion?"

"Yes. A conclusion should only come after scientific analysis."

The key point here is what constitutes 'scientific analysis.'

Without presenting alternatives, it's just empty talk.

Martin, seemingly aware of this, cautiously spoke up.

"There are no precedents, so we don't have reference materials. But that doesn't mean we have no methods at all. As a scientist, I can suggest some alternatives… though I only hold a bachelor's degree…"

"It's okay. Go ahead."

"Just off the top of my head, we could use X-rays, infrared, and ultraviolet photography. Old works usually have cracks, so we could take samples and attempt a stratigraphic analysis."

He continued with more technical explanations.

"Sir, this is… hard to translate…"

Perhaps because of the specialized terms.

"I'm an art major, sorry."

Even the top graduate student struggled.

"It's fine. Even with a perfect translation, I wouldn't understand it."

However, one thing was clear from this process.

Martin was deeply passionate about scientific appraisal.

Moreover, he had various methods to quench that thirst!

Having confirmed his ability and passion, it was time to understand his inner self for a complete recruitment.

"This is a personal question."

"...?"

"Why did a promising scientist suddenly choose art?"

It seemed an unexpected question.

Martin scratched his head and responded.

"There's no grand reason. It's purely my admiration for da Vinci… that's all."

"More than art, you admired da Vinci?"

"Well, I did like art quite a bit. But after learning about da Vinci, I got completely immersed. Even more than science. That caused some problems."

"Problems?"

"As an art lover, I couldn't make a living. I could make a living as a curator, but my major was too different. While looking for a solution, I thought of art appraisal."

"You decided appraisal was the intersection of art and science?"

"Exactly. I naturally thought it would be like that, but reality was very disappointing."

It seems to an MIT graduate, the art world was almost like a swamp.

But the literary world is even worse… ahem!

Anyway.

"It sounds like da Vinci changed your life."

"Right. I've been obsessed with him for years. My affection for da Vinci… it's unmatched."

I could tell without him saying.

Those eyes radiating passion whenever da Vinci was mentioned.

Park Jong-in looked just like that when talking about semiconductors, and Mr. Baker had the same eyes when talking about baseball.

"Since we're on the topic, can I ask you a question?"

"If it's about da Vinci, anytime."

"Do you remember the painting I asked you to appraise?"

He nodded.

"What did you think when you saw it?"

"As a scientist?"

"Anything, really."

Martin, who answered freely about da Vinci, hesitated this time.

"Why are you hesitating?"

"It feels wrong to speak on unverified assumptions…"

"Is it a scientist's ethic?"

"No, it's a habit I picked up at Oxford…"

What did Oxford do to this man?

"Even if you're wrong, it's okay. Speak freely. After all, you're talking to an 11-year-old."

At times like this, being a child is an advantage.

Martin finally spoke cautiously.

"This is just a hypothesis. In other words, it's just my opinion."

"Go ahead."

"So, I think that painting was made around 1490. I can pinpoint the period because it has a counterpart."

A counterpart?

"Around that time, da Vinci was indebted to Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan. Artists often seek patrons, right?"

"Right."

"Having a patron means you need to deliver. Da Vinci worked hard on his projects. One of them was a portrait of the Duke's mistress."

"'Lady with an Ermine.'"

"How did you know?"

"Uh, well… I did some basic research on da Vinci's works since I was asking for an appraisal. Haha."

"Well, it's not impossible. I also solved college-level math problems at your age."

That's a bit different, though.

Ahem.

"Anyway, since you've studied, this conversation will be easier. Yes, da Vinci completed 'Lady with an Ermine' in 1490. But he had a more important task."

"Creating a statue of Duke Ludovico?"

"Yes. He was actually sponsored to make the statue. But there was a problem. Da Vinci, being a perfectionist, couldn't easily start the work. Naturally, the Duke was furious…"

I knew this part.

The impatient Duke and the perfectionist da Vinci clashed.

The unproven hypothesis must start from here.

"Da Vinci must have been extremely anxious. So to buy time while conceiving the statue, he suggested, 'How about I paint a portrait?'"

So the painting I asked to be appraised is Duke Ludovico's portrait?

"The problem is, he couldn't complete that either. If he started the painting to appease the Duke's anger, he should have progressed adequately. But his perfectionism got in the way again."

"He missed the deadline for the portrait too?"

"It's just my speculation."

Despite his words, Martin seemed quite confident.

"Do you remember the professor's words? He said it resembled existing da Vinci works but had subtle stylistic differences. Of course. How could he use the same techniques for the Duke of Milan?"

"It's a plausible argument. But I'm curious about one thing."

"...?"

"You said you felt it was a counterpart to 'Lady with an Ermine.' Why?"

"Ah, that's because of the gaze. 'Lady with an Ermine' gazes to the right. In contrast, the man in your portrait looks to the left. Like a mirror image, it feels like they're looking at each other… Of course, to prove this, scientific evidence is necessary."

"One of the methods you mentioned earlier?"

He nodded.

"The most reliable way is to secure a crack sample from 'Lady with an Ermine' and perform a stratigraphic analysis. If the elements in the overpainted layers match, there's no room for discussions about style or technique."

"But the Oxford professor wouldn't accept it…"

"It doesn't matter. If he wants to make a fool of himself, who are we to stop him?"

Typical scientist's confidence.

Maybe the professor will end up apologizing for being a liberal arts major.

I continued the conversation with Martin.

Extremely personal stories.

Mostly, I asked, and he cautiously replied.

"You won the Science Olympiad?"

"I won in middle school for chemistry and in high school for physics."

"Twice?"

"Yes."

"You also participated in the Math Olympiad?"

He nodded.

"Did you win?"

"Of course."

He spoke as if he was retrieving something he had reserved.

But his eyes didn't show a hint of pride.

"That's all in the past."

"But you graduated top of your class from university?"

"That's also in the past."

In that case… today's conversation will also be in the past in a few days!

Heh.

Anyway, I liked Martin.

Not just his ability, but also his attitude towards life.

So why hesitate?

"Martin."

"Yes?"

"I'm thinking of forming a new appraisal team. One that focuses heavily on science."

"...!"

"I'd like you to lead it."

"But I'm just a PhD student… I don't have the experience…"

"A da Vinci expert who graduated top of MIT. What better qualifications for an appraisal team leader?"

"No matter how…"

He showed a typical nerd's lack of confidence despite his passion for science.

That's so Martin.

It's best to push the conversation forward at times like this!

"I'll offer you double the salary of an Oxford professor."

"W-what?"

His eyes widened in surprise.

"Since you're the leader, you can hire the team members."

"I haven't even agreed yet…"

"I'm just saying if you do agree."

He scratched his head.

"The number of team members doesn't matter. But they should mainly be able to work in Korea. The salary will be double what they earn in the U.S., and housing will be provided."

"But…"

"...?"

"This might seem impolite."

"Go ahead."

"Is there any risk of war? Given it's a divided country…"

Instead of answering, I asked him a question.

"You're from the U.S., right?"

"Yes."

"Do you worry about gun accidents?"

"Guns? There are occasional reports… but if you're not in a crime-prone area, it's not a major concern…"

"Korea is the same."

"Excuse me?"

"The risk exists, but it's not something to worry about."

"Ah."

If he's asking this, it means he's almost convinced.

Being human, he's likely attracted to the money too.

'I guess.'

The chance to appraise what could be a da Vinci work must be a huge draw.

As if to confirm my thoughts,

"I'm a bit picky…"

Martin spoke shyly.

"Forming a team might take a while."

"Like da Vinci, a perfectionist."

"Not to that extent…"

"As long as you don't run away."

"I won't. I stuck it out at Oxford."

"Shall we sign the contract then?"

"I… forgot my fountain pen."

"Well, we can buy one at Montblanc."