30 SEPTEMBER 1995, Page 32

Sir: Richard Dorment reminds us that Eve- lyn Waugh denounced

the art of Picasso. Yes, and for two generations nearly every- one who mattered hailed the 'Poems of Ossian' as works of transcendent genius. Time has vindicated Sam Johnson, who despised them.

We do not think the worse of Waugh for failing to appreciate Picasso, or of Johnson for missing the point of Sterne. No one man can respond sympathetically to all gen- uine art. The real disgrace is conning one- self into admiring the bogus stuff.

David Watkins

79 Pendyrys House, Mortimer Road, Pontcanna, Cardiff