Good Artists; Bad People

Ernest Hemingway is one of the most famous American novelists. He is the author of The Sun also Rises, The Old Man by the Sea, For Whom the Bell Tolls, and many more. Many of his admirers, however, are unaware that he was an awful person. He was disloyal to his wife, a narcissist, an alcoholic, and a carless father So, given that he is such a despicable man, is it still correct to enjoy and read his work? Is it possible to separate the art from the artist? Yes, you can. It is possible to admire one’s work without idolizing the person who created it. So many important artists were lacking in their personal lives. Though just because the artist is unpleasant, does not mean the art is so. Artists aren’t their art, and in cases where the art is important to history and the evolution of art, we cannot simply ignore the existence of prominent works. You can praise art while acknowledging the actions of those who created them Not to mention that the hardships, life experiences, and phycological problems of an artists – which make them horrible people – could also be what makes their art so amazing.

Picasso was a sexist man who would verbally and physically abused women. This does not mean that the art he made was bad, it just shows that he was a bad person. The actions and personality of an artist do not make them untalented Why should we consider art to be disturbing just because the person who created it was? People tend to dislike things associated with people they dislike. It is not logical to attribute your feelings about a person to your opinion about their work. Someone’s art should not be disapproved of just because the person who created it was malicious. Knowing and being aware their actions and personalities is very important; however, it is essential to accept that the person they were, does not affect the quality and caliber of their art pieces.

It can be argued that admiring and exhibiting the art is an act of supporting the artist. Some people believe that artists who committed crimes or whose actions are appalling should not even have their art displayed. For example, people have tried to get Ariel and Prospero by Eric Gill taken down given that he was a pedophile. There was even a protestor who took a hammer to the sculpture. Having his art on display isn’t the same as forgiving his actions It is simply appreciating the art It is possible to view the art as an entirely separate idea. Acknowledging that the art itself has value does not mean that one is condoning the actions of its artist.

Caravaggio was known for his dark and gory art. He invented chiaroscuro, a technique where one manipulated light and shadow to create the illusion of light coming from a certain source in paintings He created the masterpiece Bacchus and many more. Caravaggio, as talented as he was, was very violent and would have many drunken fights. He was even once accused of murdering someone in the town he lived in. These aspects of his personal life should not take away from his artistic abilities, especially not when art pieces have historical value. These art pieces must be displayed and taught about regardless of who made them given that they provide insight for the period in which they were created or show a certain style. The art should not be ignored; it gives us important information for the history of art.

It is entirely possible to separate the art pieces from their creator. Attributing the actions of an artist to one’s overall opinion about their art is irrational. Appreciating the art piece does not excuse their actions. Although it can be argued that it is immoral, the appreciation of the art of a detestable person is not the same as forgiving or shutting aside a person’s actions. It is being able to acknowledge the quality of the art piece, separate from the person who created it. Art with historical value cannot be ignored; we need it to help us understand the art of a different time. It is not feasible to ignore the kind of people some artists were, though it is not a crime to continue to appreciate their art. Separating a person from their abilities is viable.