The effects of Byzantine art were by no means simple: the time between the Fall of Rome and the Renaissance saw much development in all the arts, particularly literature.
Look at the history of art and you will see a pattern. Cave paintings were little more than stick figures, but many of these works showed considerable talent. As history passed and technology improved, art took on a rigid format, but what artists depicted became much mnore recognizable.
Roman sculptors showed that they finally understood anatomy, form, lighting, and function, but had hardly perfected their work.
The early work of Da Vinci and Rafael show far more growth. Look at the Sistine Chapel ceiling sometime, if only to see how art had developed.
Literature became a real art in the early 20th century, as Dickens and Wells added much to the printed word, but face it folks, much was pure dreck.
Now, we have much more talent on display, and writers' clearing houses will put nearly anything onto the Internet.
Art has grown with us.
What will come next? I am excited to see it!
In Jesus' Name, I bid you peace.
