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Throughout the centuries art has been an important part of culture and civilization, but an artist couldn’t always depend upon themselves for support while they worked. Often they came from humble beginnings and had to spend years as apprentices in workshops before going into business themselves. The creation of art was a difficult business that took time.

One way an artist could sustain themselves was by having a patron; a wealthy and often influential person who was willing to financially support the artist. In return, the artist would create works of art requested by the patron. Some of the greatest artistic works in history came into being this way. Leonardo Da Vinci was often employed by aristocrats and painted The Last Supper for the Duke of Milan, while most of Michelangelos’ masterpieces were commissioned by popes, the church having been one of the lead patrons of the arts for centuries.

The downside to patronage was that it kept the artist bound by an agreement to create whatever work of art their sponsor wanted. The advantage was that as long as the artist had a patron, they didn’t have to worry about money or supplies, nor did they have to find work to support their hobby, they could be an artist full time.