Vladimir Nabokov

NABOKV-L post 0010484, Sun, 31 Oct 2004 16:00:13 -0800

Subject
PNIN & van Eyck's Cardinal
Date
Body
----- Forwarded message from bunsan@direcway.com -----
Date: Sun, 31 Oct 2004 09:09:59 -0500

EDNOTE. See attachmentgs at bottom



From: Alexander Drescher <bunsan@direcway.com>


***********
I try to identify the referent pictures in N.'s works. Re-reading
Pnin [for classes that Steve Fix is giving at Williams College] and
recollecting Shapiro's abstract from the List [Item #3402 (1 Oct 1998
12:14) - Re: Nabokov Festival abstracts: Sept. 10-12, 1989 ], it struck
me that Laurence Clements believes he looks like van Eyck's Cardinal
Paele, while the narrator states that he, like several of his
characters, has "Tvins". It follows that one of these might be the
author; the artist appearing in his own canvas as van Eyck appears
reflected in the armor of St. George. Nabokov emphasizes that artful
truth is to be found in reflections.
My concern is that the suggestion below might be offensive, although I
think the joke is N.'s, not mine. -Sandy

----- End forwarded message -----