How we cite our quotes: (Page.Paragraph)
Quote #4
If you were a genius in mathematics, I would understand. If you were a genius in writing, I would also understand. If you were a genius in Gemorra, I would certainly understand. But a genius in drawing is foolishness, and I will not let it interfere with our lives. Do you understand me, Asher? (141.18)
Aryeh's disapproval of Asher's gift is particularly obvious here. Painting isn't exactly a scholarly pursuit—at least not in his opinion—and he wishes that his son could be someone different and more studious, or at least studious-seeming.
Quote #5
I had some homework. I started working on it, quickly, perfunctorily. In the middle of an algebra problem, I found myself drawing from memory the head of one of the screaming women in Guide Reni's Massacre of the Innocents. I looked at the head. Then I went back to the algebra problem. (200.4)
Asher is always distracted from his yeshiva homework by the opportunity to study art history, which he gobbles up in a way that he's never before gobbled up any yeshiva topic. Although he tries to fight it, Asher will always be an artist.
Quote #6
Listen, Asher Lev. I cannot teach you too much more about how to see. I will teach you some tricks. Then you will throw the tricks away and invent your own. (215.7)
Jacob Kahn says this to Asher when he first takes Asher on as a student, adding some credence to the commonly-held belief that great artists cannot be taught. They can be encouraged and shown a few tricks of the trade, but the only way to get an education in art is to make it your darn self.