Description

The introduction introduces the central question of the book: how should we respond to art created by people whose actions or beliefs we find disturbing, harmful, or unacceptable? Claire Dederer examines the tension between admiration for artistic achievements and discomfort with the lives and behavior of certain artists.

The author explores the complicated relationship between art, morality, and the artist’s identity. She considers whether an artist’s personal flaws should change the way audiences experience their work, and whether exceptional talent can or should be separated from troubling personal histories