Exceptions
There must be exceptions, but I cannot bring to mind a single great painter who rose from abject poverty to become recognized as a true "master". By "master" I mean the likes of Da Venci or Michelangelo or Rembrandt. They surely must be there, and someone will undoubtedly call my attention to the fact.
And what do I mean by "abject poverty"? Zero. Someone destitute, penniless, without title, property, family or influence. We may ask ourselves, "How many such great talents have lived and struggled and died without so much as a nod of appreciation? How many?"
It is shameful that our society is such that the measure of one's success is his (or her) material wealth. But who knows? Perhaps after death, things will be different? And bear in mind, it is the "generosity" of those with great wealth that has provided sustenance to scores of "starving" artists throughout history...
Following is an old poem I learned way back in fifth grade; you may have learned it too. It's worth remembering. --Bobby D. Moore
When Earth's Last Picture Is Painted
By Rudyard Kipling
When Earth's last picture is painted and the tubes are twisted and dried,
When the oldest colours have faded, and the youngest critic has died,
We shall rest, and faith, we shall need it - lie down for an aeon or two,
Till the Master of All Good Workmen Shall put us to work anew.
And those that were good shall be happy: they shall sit in a golden chair;
They shall splash at a ten-league canvas with brushes of comet's hair.
They shall find real saints to draw from - Magdalene, Peter, and Paul;
They shall work for an age at a sitting and never be tired at all!
And only the Master shall praise us, and only the Master shall blame;
And no one will work for the money, and no one will work for the fame,
But each for the joy of the working, and each, in his separate star,
Shall draw the Thing as he sees It for the God of Things as They are!