PORTRAIT OF A STINGY SQUIRE (REVISED by BOST 2025)

01- DANER

There was once a wealthy landowner named Daner, who acquired his wealth through illicit means, such as manipulation, extortion and loans with unreasonable interest rates advanced to fallen gentry.

As he amassed incredible riches, he then set himself up in a lofty mansion in the country and proceeded to surrounded himself with all the trappings of the rich.

02- RICH RESIDENCE OF DANER

As all his former opulent lineage had done he wished to have his portrait painted and hung over the fireplace in his great reception hall, so as to invoke awe from every invited guest.

A renowned Artist called Teron Ken, was subsequently approached, and a portrait was commissioned.  As rich as he was however, Daner plied the artist with wine and then, when the artist was tipsy, Daner argued about the price relentlessly, claiming it was tad unreasonably high, till in the end, he forced the Teron Ken to accept, instead, the paltry sum. This, Daner quickly pressed it into Teron’s palm, as the advance payment (paid in full) for the commissioned portrait.

The Artist returned home with a severe hangover and fell into a troubled sleep. Upon waking the following morning and recalling the last night’s events he was infuriated beyond measure.

Looking at the paltry sum, on the side table, he ground his teeth, this would not even cover the cost of the oil-paints he would use. He angrily paced the room to and for then in resignation clumped down on the chair, feeling utterly humiliated, as this paltry sum spoke volumes about Daner’s regard for his talent. Daner saw it only a business transaction, nothing more!

Unfortunately, Teron could not invalidate or revoke the iron clad agreement; moreover, he was bound by the verbal contract to deliver the portrait painting, while delaying his other well paid commissioned works, to that contemptable robber in a month’s time.  

03- THE ARTIST TERON KEN

He rose to his feet and pensively looked out the window at the sunlit garden; suddenly however, the dark shadow on his face lifted, as an idea just then struck him. A broad grin registering on his lips next, he simply chortled (laughed).

On the subsequent day the artist showed up as arranged to paint the portrait of the miserly landowner. His assistant carried all the supplies and set it up for him. Squire Daner took up his lofty pose standing by an imposing window of a grand room, filled with wall-to-wall shelved books of an impressive library.

“Now make sure to have the library also represented in the painting.”  Daner haughtily ordered; as these were the books Daner had acquired over time through many auctions of the gentry he’d ruined; rare books which, Teron Ken suspected, he’d not read a single page of.

Teron with unreadable expression on his face, simply nodded then made the necessary sketches; after which, he returned to his studio, to fittingly (aptly) complete the work.

Squire Daner was called to the artist studio several days later, to take possession of the completed work.

Grinning from ear to ear, Daner sized up the covered huge canvas then, in eager anticipation, asked the artist to uncover the masterpiece.

Teron Ken did as he was asked.

But what’s this?

There, standing before Daner, in uncanny detail, was a life-size rendition of his back facing an open window with light streaming into his impressive library.

04- BACK OF PROTRAIT

“What’s the meaning of this?” He barked at Teron Ken.   “A portrait should show a person’s countenance. Why have you drawn the back of my figure? This will not do, no sir, it won’t do: I want my money back!”

“Here’s your paltry sum. “Teron plumped the few coins into palm of Daner. “My advice to a person as stingy as you, sir, is not to show your face to others. Now I shall ask you to leave these premises as I have other pressing appointments elsewhere.”

He’d expected the miserly Daner to storm out of there with a huff and with curses on his lips, but he did neither. Instead with a grim face he pondered on the few coins in his palm then on the portrait weighing out the bargain.

In the end he said, “No sir, a deal has been struck. I shall take the painting.” as he pompously dropped the coins onto the table.

His servant carried the canvas out and it is said it hung in Squire Daner's private sturdy where only a few were privy to view.

05-PICTURE OVER FIREPLACE

FIN