This passage is ultimately a conversation about who beauty really belongs to. Levi has radical ideas, inspired by his activist friends. Jerome’s comments about how it doesn’t make economic sense to take the painting recalls Levi’s response earlier when Howard suggested Levi try direct action in his workplace. In a way, Levi’s theft of the painting is just a continuation of Howard’s advice to try direct action, even if stealing the painting probably isn’t what Howard had in mind.