There’s no denying it. Adolf Hitler was filled with evil. He was probably the most hateful man in history – and the most hated. But he was a human, and humans create.

This article by no means intends to be sympathetic to Hitler in any way. The point I want to make is that, even in the darkest souls, there is a deep desire to make art. And the art we make can be used for good or evil.

Before he started leading the Nazi party, Hitler apparently told British Ambassador, Neville Henderson:

“I am an artist and not a politician. Once the Polish question is settled, I want to end my life as an artist.”

As the story goes, young Adolf’s father wasn’t very supportive of his son’s desire to be a painter. As a young man he was twice rejected when applying to the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, which he wrote about in Mein Kampf. Still, Hitler continued to draw and paint while serving in World War I. He even managed to make a modest living selling his work, which technically made him a professional artist.

As a dictator, Hitler censored art in Germany and forced his artistic opinions and tastes on the public. There were the notorious book burnings in Nazi Germany while Jewish art collections were stolen, plundered, and destroyed during World War II. It almost feels like revenge on the art world.

The Nazi’s also used art as a weapon of war. The propaganda films of Joseph Goebbels aimed to brainwash the German people. After recently hearing about the book, Swingtime for Hitler, by NPR’s Scott Simon, I learned that while jazz was banned in Germany, it was also used in attempt to sway the hearts and minds of Allied troops.

Seriously, you should hear what they did to the Eddie Cantor song, Makin’ Whoopee.

Would the world be a different place if Hitler’s artistic endeavors had been accepted and encouraged? Could the darkness inside of him have been tamed? I have no idea.

Critics of his work are pretty harsh, calling it “utterly devoid of rhythm, color, feeling, or spiritual imagination.” Others describe it as cold and say he couldn’t paint people and didn’t seem interested in them. But Hitler even did nudes.

All of that may be true. A lack of humanity may be a reflection of what was going on inside of the man’s heart, mind, and soul. But at the same time – while I’m not art critic – the stuff doesn’t seem that bad to me. Critics certainly don’t react this way to the portrait paintings of George W. Bush.

Hanging on the wall behind me right now is a painting of a barn by a creek that looks eerily similar to Adolf’s artwork. And I like that barn painting. So, I guess the point is – who are we to judge?

When we do cast judgement on creative works – especially from young artists with big dreams – what’s the purpose of tearing it down? What could the repercussions be?

If we can learn anything from Hitler the failed artist, maybe its this…

There’s nothing wrong with honest advice and helpful ideas. Yet, when we react to the creative endeavors of others, encouragement and kindness are always better options than insults and negativity.

When our own work is harshly criticized and rejected, it does is no good to get bitter. Get better instead. No matter what the haters say, don’t hate. Keep creating.