The concept of “good” art is subjective and “can shift based on who’s viewing it their culture or the time periods that the artist and the viewer come from.” While monetary value can be one measure, other, non-monetary aspects are equally important, including:

• Aesthetics/Beauty: While subjective, notions of beauty and taste are shaped by cultural standards.
• Innovation and New Perspectives: Art can be valued for pushing boundaries or offering new ways of seeing the world.
• Emotional Impact: Art can provoke a range of feelings, from pleasure to sorrow, sympathy, or remorse.
• Historical Significance: How a work fits into the broader history of art and its context.
• The “Lore” Around an Artwork: The stories and events surrounding a work (like the theft of the Mona Lisa) can influence its perceived value.

The idea of the “great artist” is also a historical construct, largely originating in Renaissance Europe with figures like Vasari. Before this, art was often produced collectively or anonymously. The shift towards celebrating individual artists with a “nugget of Genius” was influenced by wealthy patrons and later solidified by institutions like art academies. Historically, this concept of greatness has often excluded women and artists from non-Western cultures.