Why artist become famous
How Artists Throughout History Became Famous
Maria Mellor
Does an artist really have to die before their work gains fame?
Leonardo Da Vinci was famous in his lifetime—a rare feat achieved by few other artists. He was skilled not only in painting and drawing, but also as a scientist, mathematician and inventor. He had a good start on his path to fame when, at 14, he was apprenticed to one of the best painters of the time, Andrea del Verrocchio.
As a fully-fledged artist, Da Vinci was commissioned by nobility and clergymen to paint; his success is often attributed to this. The Last Supper (1498) and Virgin of the Rocks (1483) were both religious commissions. In 1482, he was also employed by Lorenzo di Medici, the ruler of Florence, to make a silver lyre for the Duke of Milan as a peace offering.
People celebrated his genius both during his life and after his death. He was one of the first to start dissecting human bodies. The Mona Lisa is undeniably one of the most famous paintings in the world today, and Dan Brown's incredibly popular 2003 novel, The Da Vinci Code propelled the artist into popular culture.
Michaelangelo is another rare artist who gained fame during his lifetime. The same Lorenzo di Medici also played a part in helping Michelangelo gain fame.
His most famous work, the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, took four years to complete. He became so popular during in his lifetime that he had two biographies written about him before he died.
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