The Timeless Need for PR.
Artists: the OG Robin Hoods.

Royal portraits were always a key instrument of communication between the royal families and their subjects. Painter Diego Velázquez made a decent living as the Spanish royal family’s portraitist in the 1600’s. His job was to use his knowledge of beauty to convey a certain (slightly embellished) image to the people of Spain and its competing kingdoms. Very much appreciated as the King’s PR firm, Velázquez was sent abroad to learn from other masters. In short: the need for an impactful broadcast of the wealthy resulted in a democratized access to finer techniques by the people. Or, simply put: art symbiotically redistributes wealth and knowledge.
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