They will take commissions where they are to be had?

Question

Does " they will take commissions where they are to be had" mean "they will take payment where they are to be employed"?

Context:

But there is an additional point that I might have made, and
which needs to be made whenever religion is given credit for, say,
the Sistine Chapel or Raphael's Annunciation. Even great artists
have to earn a living, and they will take commissions where they
are to be had. I have no reason to doubt that Raphael and
Michelangelo were Christians - it was pretty much the only option
in their time - but the fact is almost incidental.

Blue Jay · Accepted Answer

It means if someone offers to pay them to produce a particular type of work, they will accept the job because they have to earn a living.

NL888 · Answer

Thanks.
Does "to be had" mean "to be used/employed"?

CalifJim · Answer

NL888they will take commissions where they are to be had.

~ they will take commissions wherever they can get them
~ they will take commissions wherever commissions are available

are to be had ~ can be obtained

CJ

NL888 · Answer

So the second "they" refers to the commissions (while the first the artists)?

CalifJim · Answer

NL888So the second "they" refers to the commissions (while the first the artists)?

If I understand your question correctly, yes.

They (artists) will take commissions wherever they (artists) can get them (commissions).

CJ

They will take commissions where they are to be had?

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