People today can paint and draw photorealistic images. Why couldn't people in the past do the same? Why didn't artists in the past try to capture the world as it actually appeared? Did some people do that? If so, why didn't anyone say, "Hey, that looks amazing. Let's do more of that." Bonus question: Why is Greek sculpture nearly flawless in its replication of the human form, but Greek art so simplistic and childlike? It seems like the farther back in time you go, the crappier art gets in its depiction of an accurate image of how the world appears to the eye. Bonus question 2: Why are paintings like The Mona Lisa considered amazing when so much modern art is clearly superior (yes, subjective I know, but that's how I feel)? Is it because it stood out in its day? If so, why did it stand out?