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

Mostly style.

Art during the ancient times required lots of skill, resources and reserved for important people and events. The ancient cultures studied the human form and other subjects to produce realistic art but it was mostly reserved for statues because of the above mentioned. If they can manage with other mediums, they could definitely draw realistically.

The Renaissance era brought interest in humanism making it the focal point of art.