I think you hit most developer's dream in your last three sentences. Code is art and it's a fantastic way to give back to the world (if you can afford to do so).
Nah, code can solve problems. It doesn't matter if it's pretty code, or the most efficient code, it just needs to be useful to someone. Developers are tool builders, not artists.
Hey, if I've got enough money to not worry about it, I'm likely to do things right for the sheer pleasure of it.
I suppose it's a bit like wordworking. Sure, most things serve some purpose, but I think that - ignoring costs - it's more pleasant for everyone involved if the end result is pleasing to look at and well built.
Can you show me the source that you think is art? I see lots of #define and code that looks like C source.
Just to be clear, we are talking about source code itself that is art, right? Of course, source code can be written to create art. It's a tool, after all.