"Each Thing in Its Place Is Best"

(Ed. Note--The Crimson does not necessarily endorse opinions expressed in printed communications. No attention will be paid to anonymous letters and only under special conditions, at the request of the writer, will names be with held.)

To the Editor of the CRIMSON:

I was very much surprised by the patronizing release made to The Boston American by Mr. Potter on the CRIMSON editorial concerning the Sargent murals. Everyone recognizes that as works of art they are disgraceful. Many critics feel that Sargent was a second-rate derivative artist throughout his life, but even his advocates admit that his last period was a long retrogression and that he reached the lowest depths in the Widener Library pictures. If Mr. Potter still has doubts on the subject, he might ask any member of the Fine Arts Department; even those who are most sympathetic toward Sargent.

Of course, they should be taken down, if only to preserve a distinguished reputation, but things like that aren't done. However, as Sargent was unable to use a true fresco technique, regardless of what Mr. Potter may do, the pictures will soon decompose. Meanwhile they harmonize quite admirably with the vulgarity of the whole building. Perhaps this is what Mr. Potter meant when he said, "They have their place." John Walker III