Where Did the Cliché of the Suffering Artist Come From?

Myths of writers and artists that go back centuries

Photo by Amauri Mejía on Unsplash

Here are a few clichés about writers and artists: they are guided by destiny to become who they are meant to be. They suffer because they are poor. They are inspired by nature. They are admirable and yet dangerous. They have great teachers but their greatness can’t be taught. They are…