What previous movements influenced the art of the Renaissance, and how?

Why do you think that the modern movements in art the isms like Impressionism Cubism etc are so much shorter in length of time than the earlier periods in art like the Renaissance or the Baroque?

• Answer:

  Probably communications, money, technology and lifestyle changes. During the Baroque and Renaissance period, artists, art enthusiasts and critics could only communicate by hand-carried letters on horseback and by wagon, or in person. That meant the sharing and recognition of art, science and literature was a very slow and deliberate activity. Impressionism came about the time of the telegraph, and by cubism, there were newswires, radio, TV and daily newspapers with photos. The sharing of new ideas became easier and easier. Today ---thanks to the internet-- an idea can become a fad and then old and boring in the span of a few days or weeks. During the Baroque and Renaissance, only the most talented artists got commissioned by nobles and royalty and did what they were told, for the most part. The upper-crust wasn't likely to tell an artist to make something crazy and new; they wanted a realistic painting of themselves, or a mural of a hunt; stuff like that. Most baroque and renaissance artists came from wealthy families or minor nobility. Many of the world's greatest artists probably worked as serfs and never had a chance to paint or sculpt their entire life. Maybe they scratched drawings on the dirt once in awhile. Most people were practically slaves, barely making enough money to eat, while working seven days a week. Not much time for art, or sharing ideas about art. Probably the biggest thing to change art and make it more universally available, and therefore more innovative, was the electric light. The electric light allowed people to try new things after work, if they had the drive to do so, and turns out they did...