Why are some artists more celebrated than others?

Although unfortunate, it is the cold truth that no matter their skill, some artists end up being more recognized than others that may be just as, if not more, capable as them. The main reasons boil down to about three points, the artist’s innovative vision, the artist’s incorporation of cultural and historical relevance in their art, and their social capabilities.

Certain artists are more acknowledged than others because of their unique ability to redefine their perception of the world and incorporate that into their art. They take the rules and conventions taught in art academies by teachers and bend them beautifully. They challenge what the world is used to. They make original art which many times piques the interest of the public. It has been rumored that he wanted to be an artist before Hitler became a dictator. However, the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts rejected him twice due to his unoriginality and lack of personal style. His art was not special enough to stand out compared to other rising artists, so he could not gain the recognition needed to become successful artistically. Of course, there are times when the artistic techniques introduced by artists are not perceived well by the crowd. However, it still earns the artist a form of publicity, which can act as a base until the artist creates something else or gains more supporters.

Innovative vision is one of many ways for artists to become successful. Integrating cultural symbols and historical events in art also helps the artist gain more recognition. Culture creates communities and can connect people. It is something people can relate to. For example, a painting of a family sitting together for a meal in a house full of cultural symbols will gain the attention of people that are also a part of that culture. Most people in that culture can relate to the specific aspects of the painting, as they have similar experiences as well. Furthermore, those not a part of the culture can be intrigued by the lifestyle of those in other cultures. They may relate to it since it is surprisingly similar to their own or wish to learn more as it differs from what they know/ are used to. Additionally, people can relate to historical events, especially if they recently happened. Whether one learned about the topic in school or experienced it themselves, the painting significantly impacts the person as it depicts something that genuinely happened and tells a story.

However, no matter how unique an artist’s artwork is or how packed it is with culture and history, they still may not receive the credit they deserve. The general explanation for this is due to exposure. An artist can be exceptionally skilled, a prodigy even, but without the necessary connections, there is very little chance that the artist will be successful. An example of this is Vincent Van Gogh: He was a remarkable artist but only sold one painting in his lifetime. Had he held influential connections, Van Gogh would have had more opportunities to exhibit his artwork and gain possible patrons. This exposure would have made his life easier financially, as it would have increased his sales. Moreover, if he had been able to join more supportive art circles, those artists could have given him critiques and more tips on how to gain the crowd’s attention. Strong connections can be the difference between success and perceived failure. Some examples of artists that managed their connections well are Sandro Botticelli, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci, who received patronage from the Medici family through commissions, which supported and gave these artists the exposure they needed.

All in all, the difference in scale of the celebration of some artists can be attributed to the artist’s originality, use of cultural and historical relevance, and support from others. These characteristics have catapulted artists to such fame and status that they become household names, and their art still significantly shapes the world today.