Different Pictures of the Van Gogh Crowds

Christopher Knight is to be commended for going to the Van Gogh exhibit a second time the way the rest of us have to do it (“The Goghing Gets Tough,” Feb. 2). Thanks for the heads up.

Readers shouldn’t be discouraged, however: My wife and I went at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, and found no lines, no bullhorns and relatively uncrowded galleries--just a bit more so than on a typical Sunday afternoon at a non-blockbuster exhibit. Some visitors were buying their tickets on the spot for the 4 p.m. hour.

Perhaps the Los Angeles County Museum of Art could let The Times know what hours of the week seem to be least crowded so that visitors could plan their visits accordingly.

H. ALLEN EVANS, Los Angeles

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The pleasure of viewing these masterpieces far outweighs any inconvenience incurred due to throngs of people, waiting in line and politely pushing your way to the front of the crowd assembled in front of each painting. How many of us will ever travel to Amsterdam to visit this exhibit?

Thank you LACMA. Your staff is doing an excellent job of organizing and facilitating this wonderful event.

SUSAN LESLIE SMITH, San Gabriel

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Well, congratulations to Knight--he only had to wait half as long as we did to get into the Van Gogh and lasted more than twice as long once in the exhibit.

LACMA should be ashamed at continuing to perpetuate this dismal experience on the public without taking steps to respond to the criticisms. There is simply no relationship between what it cost to attend and the value of attending.

What a mess.

MICHAEL SIEVERTS, Santa Monica

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It is ironic that Knight lamented the crowds. My wife and I went Monday night at 7. I was amazed. I have rarely if ever had such a leisurely, unobstructed viewing of a collection.

It was incredibly wonderful to have had virtually the place to ourselves. (A guard told me it was typical for a Monday night.) Don’t tell anyone, please. I plan to go back.

DANIEL P. AMSLER, Los Angeles

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I want to thank Knight for mentioning me. Although I’m not from Brooklyn, I am a New York actress/comedienne who uses the bullhorn, pitching the audio tours, the coat check and suggesting that people use the bathrooms before entering the gallery.

Whadya expect from Vincent’s warmup act? Remember . . . he’s dead and missing body parts. Hey, a job’s a job!

DRINDA LA LUMIA, West Hollywood