I met Linda at Shirley Jaffe’s fourth-floor walk-up studio a long time ago, in Paris, with some women artists; she introduced us to feminism, which she brought with her from the US.

She has been part of my life ever since: artistic, literary (we pass on murder mysteries to each other), culinary ideas, tips on growing old, illnesses, etc.—keeping it light.

When I hear her squeal on the phone announcing her arrival from New York

I am happy.

Her criticism, insights and wisdom on Courbet and the nineteenth century and contemporaries of all ages, kinds, and sorts is tops.