Dead Nude Artist Gets Her Due

So, why do artists have to die before they get recognized?

I have a son who aspires to be an artist, I hope he doesn’t have to die off before someone recognizes his talent.

Chinese artist, Pan Yuliang is famous for her paintings of bathing Chinese girls.

In the 1930-40’s in China she was condemned as ‘depraved.’ Now her works are in a collection at China National Art Gallery in Beijing.

She is recognized as a female pioneer painter of western painting.

Of course, it doesn’t hurt that China wants the Chinese to think that all of western society is depraved.

Pan lost her parents when she was young. Her uncle sold her to a brothel when she was 14. She worked there until she was bought by a customs official when she was 21.

A more complete story can be found at here.

But, what I want to know is why can’t artists make money when they are alive? Why is it there work/business only gets celebrated after they are gone?

Someone smarter than I surely knows the answer to this question?

Please teach me.