Picasso was one of few artists to have their work be of value during their lifet...

wisty · on Dec 15, 2010

He was the first (only?) artist to get an exhibition in the Louvre while he was still alive.

It didn't hurt that he lived for quite a while.

Dali was also quite popular in his lifetime, and possibly even less afraid of self-promotion.

ZoFreX · on Dec 15, 2010

How could I forget Dali, him of the famous chequebook!

Living quite a while seems to be as big a factor in gaining fame as an artist than anything else - this is also important to win a Nobel prize!