How did perception and status of the artist change in the Renaissance?

The new ideas and knowledge that came out of the Renaissance changed the way people looked at both art and artists. Medieval painting had presented life through symbolism while the Renaissance preferred realism. Renaissance artists developed portraiture and humanized their subjects.

This new style of art was viewed as contributing to the overall attempt by intellectuals to improve the world through novel approaches to thought, and a revival of ideas from ancient Greek and Roman cultures. Because of this, artists were regarded very highly.