Painting ‘peddled’?

OF course we in Los Angeles are disappointed the exquisite Klimt painting of Adele Bloch-Bauer is going to New York. But disappointment does not excuse Christopher Reynolds (and The Times) for his odd choice of words concerning the sale -- saying the family “peddled” the painting [“Yours for a Price,” June 21]. It is a curious and unfortunate choice of words to use for actions of a Jewish family. Moreover, no peddler ever made multiple millions on a sale.

Sour grapes, yes; vague racial slurs, no. Disappointment doesn’t excuse such unpleasantness.

We were really very lucky that Maria Altmann persevered in her quest to have the paintings returned to her family, that she lived in Los Angeles and that she allowed us to enjoy the five paintings for the entire spring.

JOANNE STEUER

Los Angeles