painter - an artist who paints

national leader, solon, statesman - a man who is a respected leader in national or international affairs

mar, deflower, impair, vitiate, spoil - make imperfect; "nothing marred her beauty"

blob, fleck, blot, spot - make a spot or mark onto; "The wine spotted the tablecloth"

darken - tarnish or stain; "a scandal that darkened the family's good name"

accuse, charge - blame for, make a claim of wrongdoing or misbehavior against; "he charged me director with indifference"

assassinate - destroy or damage seriously, as of someone's reputation; "He assassinated his enemy's character"

libel - print slanderous statements against; "The newspaper was accused of libeling him"

badmouth, drag through the mud, malign, traduce - speak unfavorably about; "She badmouthes her husband everywhere"