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Art's True Value: Popularity Not a Requirement

1/19/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The article questions whether art must be popular to be valuable.
It cites Vincent van Gogh, the Dutch painter, noting his only painting sold in his lifetime did not reflect his worth as an artist.
It also mentions Emily Dickinson, who published only a few poems while alive, and Franz Schubert, who lived in poverty rather than achieving fame.
The piece concludes that art's significance may not depend on popularity.

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Story summary

The article questions whether art must be popular to be valuable.
It cites Vincent van Gogh, the Dutch painter, noting his only painting sold in his lifetime did not reflect his worth as an artist.
It also mentions Emily Dickinson, who published only a few poems while alive, and Franz Schubert, who lived in poverty rather than achieving fame.
The piece concludes that art's significance may not depend on popularity.