THE PRICE OF COLOR

Regarding Peter Rainier’s review of Alexander Theroux’s “The Primary Colors” (August 28):

An art instructor years ago said that the reason Picasso went through his “Blue Period” was that blue was the cheapest pigment and Pablo didn’t have much money at the time. So when I read the quote from Alexander Theroux’s essay “Blue” saying that blue was always the most expensive pigment I had a good chortle. Also I remember spending more for vermilion than cobalt 20-30 years ago.

Not since reading Rollo May say in “The Cry for Myth” that Lindbergh flew the Atlantic in a biplane have I had as good a laugh at someone trying to be serious. Outside of politicians that is.

DENNIS J. GARVIN, REDONDO BEACH