A commission is an official group or committee given a specific task, or the act of giving someone a job or authority. It can also mean a payment made to a person based on the amount they sell or do.
From Latin *commissionem* “delegation of business,” from *committere* “to unite, to entrust,” from *com-* “together” + *mittere* “to send.” The core idea is sending someone out with an entrusted task.
When an artist gets a commission, they’re literally being ‘sent’ to create something on someone else’s behalf. Sales commissions work the same way—you’re sent to bring in business and rewarded for what you deliver.
Artistic and professional commissions historically favored male creators, with women artists and experts less likely to receive high-profile or well-paid commissions. Many 'official' commissions excluded women from decision-making roles.
Use 'commission' without assuming either the commissioner or recipient is male; when describing historical patterns, be explicit about gender disparities.
Women artists, writers, and professionals have produced major commissioned works, often under-recognized or attributed to male patrons or collaborators.
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