Why was a particular work of art created? For millennia, artists were hired by the royalty or the church or temple, and were paid for a specific commission. The role of an individual as an art patron came much later. Here is an interesting article about exhibiting art in a "salon" that includes the origin of the word, the Salon Carree at the Louvre in Paris in the 1600's. It is a fascinating read. http://untitled.pnca.edu/articles/show/5003/