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Betty Parsons Gallery Modern Paintings and Sculpture
15 East 57 Street
New York 22, New York
Plaza 3-3456
SECTION 11 GALLERY EAST 57 

October 5,1961

Mr. Ad Reinhardt
732 Broadway
New York, N.Y.

Dear Ad:

I have always respected your point of view and have gone along with it whether I agreed with it or not, as I have always felt that the artist had the right to express "himself" in his own way.  If you wish to "withdraw" from the art scene or "crap" as you phrase it, that is your priviledge and right.  But when you "withdraw" from the Betty Parsons Gallery and yet show at the Iris Claret Gallery in Paris and Dwan Gallery in Los Angeles that is distinctly "unfair", and that I cannot allow as it is belittling to both of us and I would not be your friend, let alone gallery dealer, if I let this happen.

I know the art field at the present time is difficult, confusing and a great deal of "whorishness" goes on as you say.   But art usually does contain the rightness and wrongness of a social situation, in fact usually passes right through its most sensitive center.  But, I don't think throwing one's hands up in despair is the answer and I personally could never accept "withdrawal", protest, yes!

Also, it is very confusing to me to have you show at Iris Claret, a notorious "whorehouse" in Paris where corruption seems all right, but not in New York where "morals" are demanded.  I suspect Ad, that your personal problem is that I am not corrupt enough and that you would be happier if I was more of a belly dancer in the art world.   We are both seeking solutions in the art situation (the reason for the meeting, not group action but to help the individual artist) and perhaps you and I could learn to "sin together" in New York more happily.   Let us at least try the pleasure before we "withdraw".

On a corrupter note, we sold your "Blue, No. 1-1960" painting to the Union Carbide building where it is greatly appreciated,(a sign of further decadence) and I am purchasing the Dark Painting No. 6-1956" in the gallery.

Always affectionately, & Love
Betty