Hi Jeanne! Cringe is an excellent word. I was shocked that the museum would use such terminology knowing that , like you said, it is not the pastel medium that is the issue but the ground upon which these artists applied the medium and available to them at the time. In today's world we as pastel artists have so many outstanding products on which to ply our craft that we can be confident if treated properly and framed properly people will be able to enjoy our creations for generations. As you know, for quite some time pastel artists have fought the fight to have a seat at the table of fine art, that pastels are a viable artistic medium that deserve to be side by side with oils and watercolors, egg tempera and other perceived superior mediums. It is just difficult that despite our struggle for that seat a world renowned art museum would use such terminology. While their intent may not be directed at the medium itself, I fear that the common art lover and viewer checking out the exhibit will have a predisposed notion about pastels and may shy away from them for wall space on their home. Our job just got harder and will have to be ever vigilant to extoll the virtues of pastels as a fine art medium. Thanks as always for all your wonderful insights, sharing your thoughts and tips and of course sharing your talents.