As you know, better than most I should think, the history of art has many many examples of artists whose works became valued after their death, and few whose work was properly appreciated while they lived.
This popular belief is a form of urban legend. Nearly all truly great artists, and even most mediocre ones, were reasonably successful during their lifetimes. They had to make a living, after all, and if they couldn't, they turned to something else.
It is, for example, often said that Rembrandt's work was unappreciated by his peers, and that he died in poverty. This is utter nonsense. He received large numbers of important commissions, and was in fact quite well-off.
The socio-economic status of artists is one of my specialities. |
