J. Carter Brown

Re “J.C. Brown, 67; Led National Gallery of Art,” obituary, June 19:

I found it sadly ironic that the death of J. Carter Brown, former director of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, coincides with the demise of the grand vista between the Lincoln and Washington monuments.

In spite of his excellent record as director of our National Gallery, the Brown-led U.S. Fine Arts Commission seemed incapable of defending the National Mall against the rudely placed World War II Memorial. His legacy will suffer as a result, along with the magical grand vista that died with him.

Ed Boswell

Long Beach