If the artistes of the past had, had access to today’s technologies, would they have been as good as they were

Question

If the artistes of the previous centuries’ (Angelo, Ruben, DiVinci, Vango and ect.) had, had access to today’s technologies, would they have been as good as they were? Could they have created even better masterpieces? Or does part of their greatness come from the careful prep work and resourcefulness that they had, had to practice?

Answer 1

Greatness and a Masterpiece of ART are drawn from careful and precise preparation.

Today's technologies take the manual out of this preparation stage.

The use of a sketch book is beginning to disappear from most modern artists hands as they are replaced with digital devices that remove the analogue contact with Hand to media!

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

In the first place, we're not seeing an awful lot of new and spectacular work from contemporary artists.  The generation of artists who work on computer can turn out some very technically nice work, but more of it is used for advertising than for fine art.  

I've heard that it takes about 50 years for a new generation of artists to learn how to fully exploit some of the potentials of a new medium.  Just look at how many years it took movie makers to begin to have a common set of techniques--some of the earliest feature films were just a single-camera shot of a live stage play, not the best way to adapt the story to the screen.

So I expect that we might get really great digitally-created works of fine art in another 40 years or so...presently, the visual artists are still learning.

So would the computer programs have helped or hindered the great masters?  I think a lot of their genius had to develop during their formative years--da Vinci apprenticing in other artists' workshops, Monet taking lessons on his own and experimenting with his style, etc.  If their teachers had been using our technology and had taught them, then they probably would have produced more work of equivalent quality.  If, on the other hand, they had to learn how to use the technology from scratch, if Michelangelo suddenly had a laptop dropped into the Sistine Chapel or if Van Gogh had internet access from his cell--then no, I don't think the technology would have helped.

Answer 3

They would have created even more spectacular works of art...just in different mediums...My best friend is a prolific artist and is amazing in everything from canvas, to digital, to puppets....the kid can make art outta of anything....and so would  the old schoolers....Their greatness came from beyond their tools....it overcame and surpassed their rather primitive ways....technology being only a extension to existing talent.

Answer 4

No, they would've been playing stuff like Guitar Hero 3.