Well, in old times, right? Artists had to paint royalty. They had to paint royalty in a way that would make the royalty happy so their careers weren't cubed up and fed to the carrion. Same for themselves, probably, depending on the royal and how vicious the people. I mean, I'm not saying that Hyacinth Bucket or whatever wouldn't give you an earful if you painted a shitty picture of her, not flattering enough for her liking, but snobby people aren't necessarily all that likely to take your head off.

— I mean, except my ex, maybe, but she's basically unholy.

( AT LEAST she isn't calling her "literally satan" any more, this is actually progress. )