If you are going to point the finger at anyone for World War Two, theoretically, you could point it at the staff of the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, who, we are told, turned down a young artistic-minded Adolf Hitler when he tried to get in to their Art School. Presumably, he was contemplating a life of Art, perhaps he dreamed, as one might do, of a career as a famous painter. Or you could point the finger at the more talented artists living in Vienna at that time. For me, he is just another character on the world stage, was he wicked? yes, an so were his masters, and it looks to be the same all over the world today. In any case, I created a competition between Vincent Van Gogh and Adolf Hitler and below is analysis of their paintings and the results of the paintings competition between them.
Left to right below: (Night Cafe) Vincent Van Gogh = 1 (World War One) Adolf Hitler = 0
For me, this one has to go to Van Gogh. The colours are really warm, I had a bathroom painted that red once, it takes me back, and you could see yourself in that cafe, maybe grab a game of billiards while the table is free, or just hanging around drinking coffee or wine. Hitler's is not bad, it would always be an item of interest if you had it in your sitting room but Vincent's would definitely light up the room.
Left to right: (Les Roulette) Vincent Van Gogh = 0 (Vienna In The Winter) Adolf Hitler = 1
The colours from Van Gogh are vibrant as usual but I cannot look at it without thinking about the little girl (near the horse on the left) who looks to me to be in imminent danger of being crushed by the wagon which looks like it is not far off tilting completely over and killing her. So for this one, it's a point to Hitler and apparently orderly procession through some light snow. You can contrast the majesty of the building with the simple people, going about their business, in a safe and orderly way, through some light snow.
Left to right: (The Bedroom) Vincent Van Gogh = 1 (The Harbour) Adolf Hitler = 0
When you look at this one, you must imagine it as someone else's room otherwise you will be preoccupied with the idea of the bed sliding down the room when you got into it. Look at it with a neutral eye, absorb the colours and trust that the bed or chairs won't move and it's definitely the winner. I quite like this one by AH, I think it would look good on a light coloured wall and if you lived by the sea it might help re-enforce that feeling of living by the sea. It was close for me, so hard luck Hitler and well done Van Gogh, if either of them actually painted those pictures.
Result: Vincent Van Gogh 2, Adolf Hitler 1.