Chapter 653 - 300: Evenly Matched

Professor Boggs was a bit puzzled, if it’s here, it’s here, if it’s not, it’s not, why do you need to wait for an hour and a half just to appreciate some artworks?

Do you even have to incense and change clothes?

Soon,

the question was answered.

When Professor Boggs, with a cat atop his head and full of suspicion, arrived at the third-floor parlor.

Most of the related people were already gathered.

The sound of a power drill bolting into the wall support came from the room, and a worker clad in a uniform from the largest appliance chain store in Queenstown was nailing a black aluminum TV bracket onto the living room wall.

"What are they doing? Renovating."

Professor Boggs tugged at his beard, unsure of what exactly was going on.

"Mini-LED display, ninety-eight inches. The same model used in Sotheby’s VIP room for online artwork transactions. I once considered replacing the digital corridor in my gallery with the same TV. But this is a recent technology, several times more expensive than ordinary TVs. On second thought, money should be spent where it’s more needed..."

Lady Anya, who runs a gallery and is quite familiar with all sorts of cutting-edge technologies, casually explained.

Digital technology is increasingly being used in various museums and art galleries.

More lifelike, color-accurate display devices make virtual art exhibits and online art galleries possible.

The TV that the worker is installing is one of the more trendy devices today.

Unlike traditional TVs, its back panel contains over a million mini LED bulbs which can independently display colors at the pixel level.

This advantage is crucial for displaying sharp color transitions and paint contrast.

While providing a more immersive viewing experience than ordinary screens, it also fits perfectly with art paintings and photography, greatly favored by many galleries and museums.

"So... Detective Cat’s works are electronic, meow."

Professor Boggs was not interested in learning the detailed development of TV technology.

No matter how cool the artworks displayed on a screen are, they’re no match for the tactile reactions of pigments on linen canvas.

He caught the meaning within Lady Anya’s words.

The old professor disgruntledly grabbed the cat’s paw off his head and waved it, causing the cat to yowl, expressing his disdain on his behalf.

The assistant side-eyed the strange posture of Boggs, thinking this old guy wasn’t far from going completely nuts, and quietly stepped away.

It was Jean Arnou who personally explained: "The nature of painting knife painting means that the paint takes a substantial amount of time to dry to the extent that it can be transported, adding to the shipping time. Even if Detective Cat sent a physical piece, Lady Anya and you... wouldn’t have been able to wait that long."

"Moreover, since it’s an anonymous illustrator, they may have privacy concerns." speculated the illustrator master.

"Who said that? I can totally wait, I’ve got nothing to do at home anyway."

Boggs spoke up with displeasure.

He felt deeply saddened by Detective Cat’s "downfall" into creating digital artworks.

"Digital... hum... digital edition, this guy truly doesn’t see himself as a serious painter but rather an illustrator! Disgraceful, just disgraceful."

If not for his remaining shreds of emotional intelligence desperately holding him back, reminding himself that in front of him sits one of the most famous illustrators in the world.

Professor Boggs would’ve already been shouting out loudly by now.

Sending scanned electronic versions—didn’t she know there are two of the world’s best painting knife artists here wanting to challenge her!

Professor Boggs felt belittled and insulted.

He came to New Zealand specifically to defeat the "Little Prince" painted on linen canvas, not to tackle the version printed on hundreds of thousands of fairy tale book covers.

The subtle difference between them is more than enough for top experts to tell the winner from the loser.

"Anyway, you have already created the most perfect set of illustrations under this theme. Whether Detective Cat’s illustrations are physical or scanned electronic versions doesn’t really matter."

Anya noticed the dissatisfaction on Professor Boggs’s face that was about to become apparent and kindly tried to console him.

Artists can love money and fame.

The pursuit of fame and fortune is a natural trait embedded in everyone’s genes, but the souls of excellent artists and art enthusiasts always harbor three parts of craziness.

This craziness is the fundamental yearning and respect for outstanding art pieces and masterful artistic techniques.

Professor Boggs had already completely won over the female artist with his work.

Lady Anya, after seeing "Amy," instantly became a little fan girl of Professor Boggs.

The camaraderie she once shared with Detective Cat, as fellow girls, was completely dwarfed by the allure of Professor Boggs’s works.

She had now entirely switched her allegiance to Professor Boggs.

"Humph, what’s the point. This is meaningless now."

Professor Boggs loved hearing this.

However, it couldn’t change the air inside him that, as if punctured, deflated like a ball.

People won’t have any sense of anticipation for a foregone conclusion.

The sense of accomplishment gained from defeating an incomplete opponent significantly lessens.

This is like if, before the battle between the Duke of Wellington and Napoleon, the entire French Army got stomach aches. Winning is for sure, but the epic and heroic feeling would be greatly reduced.