Last week we took a look at the accomplishments of Thomas Jefferson as an architect rather than as a statesman or politician and we received some rather pointed but thoughtful responses to Jefferson’s legacy. Jefferson was complex, no doubt. In addition to his feats as an architect, inventor, farmer, writer, etc., he also enslaved other human beings, was credibly accused of rape, and did little to alleviate the barbaric trade that made these conditions possible. By today’s standards, or perhaps by any standards that matter, Jefferson was a remarkable man and a horrific man. This then opens up a legitimate question. How can we appropriately celebrate (?), study, acknowledge, or identify great accomplishments committed by people who have also done terrible things? I would extend this question to other folks throughout history beyond Jefferson, especially to the many artists in all fields who have been horrible people, but have created amazing art. Do we discount those achievements because of the nature of the artists? Do we compartmentalize their record? Do we ignore the good because of the bad? Ignore the bad because of the good? Where do we draw the line of judgement, especially when we realize that the artistic world doesn’t necessarily draw many faultless people to its midst?
In particular, I’ve always been fascinated with this conundrum in relation to certain architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright, who was uniquely gifted and brilliant as a designer, but an absolute SOB towards the people in his life. He did suffer great personal tragedy but also went through several marriages, cheated on his wives, was nasty to his clients and was just all around, an unlikeable person. It seems that many of the great artists in history have been damaged (if that’s the right word). Therefor a corollary to the above question would be to wonder if great artists have to be so entirely focused on their work at the expense of the others around them in order to achieve great art? I’m not smart enough nor am I a good enough artist to know the answer to that and the other questions. But maybe someone else has some insight into this issue.