Accusations Against Chuck Close

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/02/opinion/chuck-close-allegations.html

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To the Editor:

Re “Portrait Artist Apologizes After Accusations of Sexual Harassment” (news article, Dec. 21):

As a supporter of the #MeToo movement, I must take issue with the article about Chuck Close’s alleged harassment of women. I read nothing to indicate that these women were forced into compromising positions, threatened, physically assaulted or contacted repeatedly. If his admittedly frank, and sometimes puerile, approach to talking about the nude body made them uncomfortable, the women had every right to set limits or walk away.

If their expectations or assumptions about a studio visit with the artist were disappointing, then perhaps they should examine their own opportunistic hopes for such a meeting.

Mr. Close has generously helped many artists and championed recognition of women in the field. We need to be careful not to smear the reputation of an esteemed artist by suggesting habitual predatory behavior by a man who may be guilty of no more than creating decidedly awkward moments in delicate situations.

CAROL WAX, PEEKSKILL, N.Y.

The writer is an artist.