An artist does not create a piece for universal appeal; he creates it to a) others b) make money c) cause controversy d) express him/herself

D) Express him/herself. The best creative minds do not use money or controversy to create great works of art, although that may be part of the end result. The creative mind simply does not work in that manner and great art is based more on emotion and feeling rather than more esoteric concerns such as making money. Witness some of the best, such as Van Gogh or Rubens who did not create wealth but rather struggled and their works were most recognized post mortem.

The "maple leaf rag" (copyright registered on september 18, 1899)[1] is an early ragtime musical composition for piano composed by scott joplin. it was one of joplin's early works, and became the model for ragtime compositions by subsequent composers. it is one of the most famous of all ragtime pieces.[2] as a result joplin was called the "king of ragtime". the piece gave joplin a steady if unspectacular income for the rest of his life.