All 3 Uses of

patron
in
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

He had a slightly embarrassed, slightly puzzled smile on his face, like the smile of an art patron talking to a painter.†
Part 2

The patron is embarrassed to reveal how little he knows but is smiling with the expectation of learning more.†
Part 2 *

Definitions:

(1) (patron as in: a patron of the arts)
a regular customer; or someone who gives money or support to an organization, cause, or person
(2) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)
meaning too rare to warrant focus:

In ancient Roman history, patron referred to the more powerful person in a complex client-patron relationship. The term is still used in some cultures today to describe a property owner who is in charge of workers.

Also see patron saint.

Much more rarely, a patron is the proprietor of an inn.