True artists don’t always strive for fame, but it’s important for their work to be seen and experienced. A wider audience allows their influence to grow and impact society. Artists want their creations seen, analyzed, and considered. But what happens when that impact isn’t felt until they’re gone?
It’s sad to think about, but many artists remain unknown until after their deaths. Their work gains significance only after they pass away. Here are ten world-famous artists whose genius was only recognized posthumously. They never got the respect they deserved in life, but after death, it finally came.
Charles Bukowski
Charles Bukowski is a prime example of a literary figure whose genius went unnoticed during his lifetime. It wasn’t until his later years and the decades after his death that his work received the recognition it deserved. Bukowski’s relentless pursuit of truth and unflinching portrayal of the human condition eventually led him to literary fame, but not while he was alive.
Born in 1920, Bukowski spent much of his life struggling in obscurity. He worked odd jobs while dealing with personal demons. His writing often depicted gritty realism and the lives of those on the margins of society. Despite his talent, Bukowski’s work largely evaded mainstream recognition.
The publication of his semi-autobiographical novel Post Office in 1971, when he was 51, offered a glimpse of success. However, true recognition was still decades away, and he didn’t have that long. After working at a post office in Los Angeles for years, his novels began to gain attention near the end of his life. He died of leukemia in 1994, just as he was starting to “make it.” After his death, his reputation soared.
Today, Bukowski is a literary icon. The spread of his work online, the popularity of the Beat Generation, and an appreciation for unconventional voices have all contributed. His raw portrayal of life’s hardships resonated with readers seeking authenticity. It’s a shame he never saw it for himself. [1]
Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach excelled as an organist but struggled to gain recognition for his compositions during his lifetime. He participated in the European music scene and was recognized for his performances. However, his compositions were overshadowed.
It wasn’t until the 19th century, with renewed interest in the Baroque period, that Bach’s musical genius was recognized. He revolutionized Baroque music by incorporating elements from Italy and France, elevating the German style. However, this wasn’t known until after his death.
Bach’s compositions now resonate worldwide, fulfilling his desire for his work to be appreciated globally. He just didn’t experience it firsthand. [2]
Henry David Thoreau
Henry David Thoreau is now known as a profound thinker, but he was largely ignored during his time. Despite this, his impact on figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi is undeniable. His unconventional ideas distanced him from 19th-century society.
Thoreau found solace in nature, which became the central theme of Walden. However, he struggled to find publishers and even funded some publications himself, selling few copies.
Thoreau died with only two professionally published works, receiving little attention. Today, he’s regarded as a literary titan. His works, like Civil Disobedience, inspire leaders, and his reflections on nature encourage reassessment of the natural world. He reached the top more than a century after his death. [3]
Claude Monet
Claude Monet, the founder of French Impressionism, faced a tragic journey. His works are now masterpieces, but they were criticized as formless and unfinished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The art world rejected him, plunging his family into poverty.
Monet’s technique captured the essence of atmospheric light in his landscapes. His masterpiece, “Impression, Sunrise,” started a new artistic movement. However, it took nearly a decade for his works to gain recognition, beginning in the 1880s.
Even with modest success, Monet faced accusations of commercialism. He suffered partial blindness, resulting in vibrant colors without distinct shapes in his later paintings. Things were never easy for him. While popular today, he never knew it while creating his art. [4]
Johannes Vermeer
Johannes Vermeer is now one of Holland’s most famous artists, but he became renowned after death. Born in 1632, he took over the family art business after his father’s death. He created paintings focused on the middle class. In 1675, he borrowed money to be a full-time artist, but his lack of sales left his family in debt.
After Vermeer’s death, art historians overlooked his paintings for two centuries. Some appreciated his work, but many pieces were misattributed to more famous artists. Museum director Gustav Waagen saw The Art of Painting and pushed for Vermeer to receive recognition.
Initially attributed to Pieter de Hoch, the painting prompted research and a catalog of Vermeer’s works. His art continues to inspire painters today, but this wasn’t feasible when he died in the late 17th century. [5]
Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson suffered a cruel backward fate. Only a few of her nearly 1,800 poems were published during her lifetime, and those were altered to fit the era’s conventions. Her true intellect was understood after death.
Dickinson deliberately kept her poems from the public eye. She was reclusive, rarely receiving visitors. She maintained friendships through correspondence. Her poems featured concise lines, slant rhymes, and unconventional capitalization, exploring themes of death and immortality.
After her death in 1886, her sister Lavinia discovered her poems and unveiled them to the world. Her first collection was published in 1890. Despite initial criticism, she became one of the greatest American poets. She never lived to see it and might have been horrified if she had. [6]
Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe is known for his dark tales and poetry, influenced by his troubled life. Born in 1809, his father abandoned the family, and his mother died from tuberculosis. Surviving as a writer was tough, and Poe never found financial success or acclaim.
Poe’s marriage to his 13-year-old cousin, Virginia, was also tragic. She died from tuberculosis four years later, deeply affecting him. This can be seen in “The Raven,” where a talking raven visits a distraught lover. Despite the poem’s success, Poe received only $9 for its publication.
Poe’s struggles persisted, marked by alcoholism and personal issues. He was found unconscious in Baltimore in 1849 and died due to unknown causes. He never received the respect he’s earned in the centuries since. [7]
Jeff Buckley
Few modern musicians have achieved posthumous fame like Jeff Buckley. Born in 1966 to Tim Buckley, Jeff struggled to find his identity as a musician. His star failed to rise during his short life. It was only after his death by drowning that the world embraced his voice and songs.
Buckley’s breakthrough came with his debut album Grace in 1994, three years after his death. The album showcased his blend of folk, rock, and soul, captivating listeners with raw emotion and vocal range.
Despite his lack of commercial success, Buckley’s rise to fame was swift. Grace earned critical acclaim and a devoted following. His work solidified his status as a cult icon. Buckley’s tale reminds us of the bittersweet nature of artistic success. The world discovered a musical genius after his death. [8]
Herman Melville
Herman Melville, author of Moby Dick, faced failures after his debut. His first book, Typee, gained attention, but fame eluded him. His best works were neglected while he was alive.
Moby Dick was out of print when he passed away, and his other novels received mediocre reviews. Despite hardships, Melville lectured and produced poetry.
He died abruptly in New York City in 1891, never tasting literary acclaim. The literary world enjoyed a resurgence of his works in the 20th century. Today, Herman Melville’s name will endure eternally. [9]
Domenikos Theotokopoulos
Domenikos Theotokopoulos, known as El Greco, was virtually anonymous during his lifetime. He hailed from Crete and painted icons in Italy and Spain. He absorbed techniques from Titian and Tintoretto, influenced by Michelangelo. He couldn’t find his footing until after death.
El Greco controversially criticized Michelangelo’s painting skills, causing difficulties in Rome. He relocated to Toledo, Spain, and produced his most famous works. However, even in Spain, success came with challenges.
King Philip disliked his creations and refused further commissions. Critics scorned him after death. It wasn’t until the 18th century that his work gained recognition. His legacy faced disdain until a reevaluation, centuries too late. [10]
These artists remind us that recognition can be delayed, but true talent endures. Their stories inspire us to value the arts and support artists, both living and departed.
Who are some other artists you think deserve more recognition? Leave your comment below!
