ANYONE with even the most cursory knowledge of the works of William Etty will be familiar with name “Ridolfi”.

This was pseudonym of William Carey, a contemporary critic whose gross flattery, absurd pomposity, ill judgment and egregious style probably did more harm to Etty’s reputation than the most severe of his detractors.

The writer of the letter signed “WC Ridolfi” (June 28) is to be congratulated on his parody, but did he not fear to betaken seriously, and deter potential visitors by the accuracy of his imitation?

Etty is, after all, the most guileless of artists, and the most approachable. What he understood, he painted supremely well, and with passion. It is enough to praise him for that. His virtues are obvious to all, but so are his deficiencies. We cannot, nor should we, judge with the eyes of past generations.

York Art Gallery has provided a splendid opportunity for us to enjoy, admire and assess Etty’s relevance for us today, while taking to heart one of the artist’s own dictums and “nothing extenuate”.

William Dixon Smith, Welland Rise, Acomb, York.