Until the great Iconoclasm triggered by Martin Luther - Christian art was to believed to have divine powers - reflecting those depicted. So praying or touching a Madonna statue or altar piece was not just worship - but a physical connection and portal to higher plane. Many pieces of art were meant to have miracle powers.

That is why many processions literally tried to carry the holy person depicted all around town - to bring the saints blessing to every person and house.

Before many artworks of old Masters became JUST great pieces of art they often were important religious objects. It took the bloody days of the reformation and destruction of huge amounts of church art to get religion and idol worshipping ‘out’ of art.

After the Renaissance and the Reformist Iconoclasm there was a huge change in art: the topics, attitudes and perspective of European Art changed completely. And instead of mostly the Holy Mother Church and the feudal class normal (rich) citizens, and companies commissioned artwork.