I think this depends on the artist (though perhaps you're already conceding this point with your "particularly for" qualifier). Caravaggio had masterful control

I think this depends on the artist (though perhaps you're already conceding this point with your "particularly for" qualifier). Caravaggio had masterful control of lighting and form, but was a murderer (manslaughterer). Someone who knows of DFW's interactions with Mary Karr would likely interpret Infinite Jest the same way as one who doesn't. I don't think ESR's politics have any bearings on cathedrals vis-à-vis bazaars.