Art Appreciation 101

It’s gratifying to read a success story like that of the brilliant, scholarly big spender Goldner of the Getty Museum.

But it is hard to believe the photo of him actually holding an unprotected, fragile, priceless 15th-Century drawing in his bare fingers. He must be aware that this is a no-no. The cleanest hands will still retain a film of oil that transfers to paper.

Perhaps his heady spending has dulled his common sense.

JOHN DEGATINA

Los Angeles