Long story short, I went to a popular charity (second hand) store in Australia, and came across a beautiful painting. I ended up buying it for a family member who really appreciates art, it was a bargain after all. When I went to wrap the present I saw the artist’s name on the back and looked him up (just looked like a friendly grandpa). He turned out to be local, so I googled his name to see if he has his art displayed anywhere. Here is when it gets terrible, instead of his art, I found an article that stated in the 90’s he was convicted of multiple rapes in my state and sentenced to 20+ years in prison. There were also other charges related to embezzlement and a prison escape. So my question is - wtf do I do?! This painting was done after his sentence ended, however I can’t look at it the same. I feel sick thinking about what he may have done to these women (I tried to search for court records - unsuccessful). I don’t feel like it’s right for me to gift it after I’ve found out this information. What do I do? Do I give the person receiving the gift the back story and allow them do decide? Destroy it? Or am I meant to disconnect the art from the person and just admire the work? It feels wrong even having it sit in my house right now… if I knew who made it, I would’ve NEVER picked it up!!! What should I do? All advice is welcome, I could use some help :/
TL;DR - I bought a painting as a gift that turned out to be a rapist’s artwork. What to do with it now? Morally conflicted