After the fall of Rome in the west there was a worsening in the most famous classical arts: sculpture and painting.

However the former kept a certain level of quality, statues became more stiff and less detailed but still remained quite realistic; while on the other hand the latter became way more primitive with little overall improvement or change to be seen for almost a Milennia.

But then, all of the sudden during the 14th and 15th centuries, we begin seeing some of the most realistic paintings in history.

How did this happen? How did painting improve so dramatically in such a short ammount of time?