why do starving artists become rich after death?

Answer 1

Over-generalize much?

What you say simply isn't true -- some living artists make money, not all dead artists sell.

There have been artists whose work became valued only after they died -- for the kinds of reasons others have given: It took a while for people to appreciate their work, and, when you're dead, you won't paint any more, so the pieces become worth more money (supply and demand).

Answer 2

They don't, becaue they're dead. Occasionally their heirs do well. Most of the time, however, if no one wants to buy an artist's work while he is alive, no one wants it while he is dead.

If an artist has some degree of recognition before his death, his work may become more valuable after his death simply because he won't be making any more of it. It's a supply and demand thing.

Answer 3

Usually because it takes longer than their lifetime for their work to be appreciated.

- could be that their work is ahead of their time so needs time to catch up.

- work not discovered after their death.

- sometimes people like a good story to go along with their art!

Answer 4

Their work becomes rare because since they're dead they can't create anymore.

Answer 5

because once they are dead, what they have produced is what they have produced.