Paintings can represent many things. Including past teachers, famous people, different topics, and many others. Most people tend to dislike paintings, in art gallery, but it's okay because as long as you recognize and look at it. You give the artist assurance that it was notice by people, and that they spread the (info) or the word. Some paintings can be sold for millions depending on the artist and if the artist is very famous or not. Many rich people could afford it, but the cost beyond the ownership of the several million dollar painting. Paintings can also be made for money, first making the painting, and then selling to a gallery or to someone. Paintings always represent something, the artist wants you to think about and take a moment to decide, what is happening in this painting.