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Conjecture: One of the reasons we depend on monetary gain as a gauge for value of art is because it is tangible - quantifiable. If someone says, "Hey, I like your artwork. It really spoke to me." it is an amazing compliment...but it isn't something one can hold in their hand. It isn't measurable. So if they, instead, give the compliment with an accent mark of a dollar figure then suddenly we have a number to cling to. That piece of art? Oh, it's worth $4,050.

Part of the problem is many famous artists barely turned a profit. Their work only became "valuable" after their death. I'm not interested in the "why" here so much as to point out one small thing:

If it's worth something after they've died then it was worth something while they were alive.

Sure no one was paying hundreds or thousands of dollars for it when they were trying to sell it in the market, but it's not like it was suddenly beautiful just because the creator ceased living. It was always beautiful.

Why do I say all of this? Two things.

1. Maybe we shouldn't place so much of our perceived importance on how much money our creations will fetch.
2. Let artists know how their work affects you. Money is good. It pays bills and buys us food and shelter, etc. but when it comes to truly appreciating our art most of us want to create something that moves more than pocketbooks.