Our Biased Epitome

Ananda Coomaraswamy in his second chapter takes a lot of time explaining how traditionalists view art in its historical and cultural context, whereas he recognizes that in our society today our perception of art has "evolved" into which we take into account our personal preferences and what is the better and more realistic style.  Yet with his analogy of the barn and cathedral as was explained by Mr. O'Donnell, the traditional perspective on art seems to try and make art viewable through an objective lense that is free of our personal biases which prevent a fuller understanding and appreciation of it.

"Whoever believes that art "progresses" contrasts the most primitive with the most advanced (or decadent) styles of art as though the primitive had been trying to do what we try to do...  So far from this, the only test of excellence in a work of art is the measure of the artist's actual success in making what was intended."

It seems as though Coomeraswamy is borrowing a concept from Michel Foucault who believed that people from different periods in time, have been unintentionally biased in their approach on how they understand and analyze cultures that are separated by time and space.  These different time periods, are referred to as epitome(s).  So in the 21st century, as a western society we value and celebrate the individual.  Such ideas originated in the Renaissance and Humanistic movement in the 19th century, according to Coomeraswamy.  Thus, it is hard for many individuals to fully respect the "Byzantine perspective" of medieval art and regard it on the same level of perfection as Michelangelo's David.