Hitler, The Successful Artist

Liverpool...

Gets a house-painting commission while he's staying with his relatives in Liverpool to avoid the wrath of the German police, marries a nice Irish girl and puts down roots...

Roll forwards a while, you have a fleet of little Austin vans bannered 'Hitler & Fils, PriceBlitz DIY'...
 
Actually, no. In fact, many heads-of-state and military leaders were successful artists on the side (see: Edward Rzdz-Smigly, leader of Poland in 1939, successor to Pilsudski, and water-color painter)

The thing about Hitler is that it's commonly believed that he blamed his failure to get into art school on The Jews. If he got into art school and did not blame The Jews, the idea is that he would have less drive to become a dictator and kill The Jews.

Emphasis placed on The Jews because I feel like it.

Yes, if you include non-fascist and non-communist political and military leaders you will find some who were artists or architects on the side. Churchill was a pretty talented water colorist. And Thomas Jefferson was one of America's greatest architects. I'm sure there were more. But the question is, did any important fascist or communist leader other than Hitler ever demonstrate a talent for, or aspirations in, the visual arts?
 
Top