As the nineteenth century progressed, successful authors could earn substantial sums. There was a great demand for the works of contemporary British novelists and the market responded to this in a flexible and effective manner. The distribution channels widened and literary agents came between authors and publishers to improve their clients' negotiating power. With wealth came status and respectability and an entry into polite society. While authors never came together to create a profession which insisted on entry qualifications, like the Church, law and medicine, they did join together to enhance their economic interests through The Society of Authors.

The demand for works by contemporary British painters also increased substantially in the nineteenth century, and again the market responded flexibly and effectively by increasing the financial terms which successful painters could obtain. The distribution channels also widened and commercially driven art dealers ensured that these were exploited to the full. With wealth again came respectability and an entry into polite society through the acceptance of painting as a profession which required academic study and qualifications. As a result, painters sought to distance themselves from the trade which created their wealth, ascribing a moral value to their paintings which was of service to society.