Why do we rarely see ultra-realistic paintings from ancient/medieval times, given the fact that many humans have a natural talent of creating them today with minimal items?

Question

I’m asking because paintings, whether on the wall of a cave, or on generally of a King or Queen in ancient times look quite weird. Not necessarily in a bad way, it has its own cool art style, but they are not realistic or anywhere close.

If human beings have a natural talent, photographic memory or incredible artistic ability today where they can make TikToks of painting ultra realistic art with fire, chalk or charcoal etc Why do we almost never see realism in painting/artistic history? I’m talking paintings specifically not sculptures btw

In: Other

Answer 1

Ancient Greeks were know to strive for realism and it was believed they had realistic paintings that mirrored their highly detailed marble sculptures. We can see in their surviving red figure pottery that potter’s were striving for realism in a difficult medium. There’s also 1st hand written accounts staying how hard it was to tell the difference between the painting and real life. 

So we know there were ancient cultures that pushed towards realism. But as many have said not every culture put weight on realism. Style tended to be the first focus.