Individuals and Artistic Change

Just answer the questions provided on the bottom of requirement. No references needed.
Today in class we studied the work of Giotto di Bondone and Duccio di Buoninsgena, two very prominent artists in the early 14th centruy AD, who by most art historical accounts, single-handedly changed the look of art in Italy and helped to usher in the Renaissance.

Read more about them here and here.

We can see in looking at their creations that their work marks a stark departure from the Byzantine painting traditions that had dominated the Mediterranean since the end of the Roman Empire.

But this is not just a matter of art historical hindsight and perspective. Already in their own time, Giotto and Duccio were recognized as artistic luminaries. You can find references to them in the works of Petrarch and Dante.

Now part of this may be due to the fact that in the late 13th and early 14th century, there were few towns where artists were as widely supported as Florence and Siena. We should also keep in mind that the communities who sponsored art were realtively small–there were bishops and the pope and then there were wealthy guilds and individuals. But even still, the impact of these two men on the course of art is simply amazing.

This leads me to wonder:

Do you think that it is still possible today for one or two individuals to have such an enromous impact on the world of art (or music)?

Can you think of any examples?

If so, what has been their impact and what was the reason for their success?

Do you think that future historians will continue to see these modern individuals as important to the development of modern culture in 100 years? In 500 years?