What are the secrets of the greatest artists of all time? The answer is originality and fame.
Even those without an education in art history have heard of artists such as Rembrandt or Picasso.
These names have entered our language and permeate western culture.
Many people would also recognize the works by these artists.
That is an enormous achievement that was attained through the efforts of those very artists and to a greater extent by the collectors of works of art by these artists.
Collectors have often promoted their collections extensively in order to reach higher value and recognition for the works of art that they possess.
Many will argue that it is solely the accomplishments of the artists that have allowed them to reach great levels of notoriety may it be during of after their lifetimes.
However, there are forces acting behind the scenes that have formed the art world for centuries.
The role is not always one of patronage for the arts, but rather of increasing one's prestige and wealth from the acquisitions of artwork from a selected group of artists.
Collectors are the main actors in promoting art and they are aided by institutions such as museums, auction houses and universities.
Each one of these actors benefits from the possession of great artists in their collection.
Museums act as honorable depositories of art which depend on the gracious donations of collectors or the graces of government budgets.
Their role is important in promoting the arts current and past.
The more Great Masters they hold in their collection the higher is the prestige of the museum.
Auction houses are the outlet of commerce and marketing.
They allow the collectors to offer their selection of art to the highest bidder.
In is all in the interest of the seller-collector and the auction house to promote their featured artists in order to achieve the highest bids.
The presence of Great Masters up for bidding helps in their promotion to the public attracting more and higher-end bidders.
Universities are in many aspects similar to museums in promoting the works of art that they possess in their collections, however they will sell the works donated to them for financial gain when in need of money.
The more Masters they have, the more money they gain to make.
The Great Masters are often great because of their achievements in mastering the techniques they employed to create their works of art.
They have often improved, invented or innovated new means of creation and artists the world over have benefited from learning from the Masters.
The recognition they have received can be an unstated goal for aspiring artists to become immortal and remembered.
In association to the Masters are the legions of self-interested and passionate people who are working behind the scenes to keep the Great Masters alive and to generate new ones.
Let us not forget that there is a great body of unrecognized artists and a multitude of works of art that do not have the cachet, the chic and fame of Great Masters, but that equally resonate with artistic power and message in our souls.
The untold secret of Great Masters is also to find the hidden ones by using your own personal judgement and feeling.