But we are in luck: the early art is also rustic, and therefore can come from an unschooled source. Look, for example at the flourishing of Byzantine iconography that is happening today.
I was talking to Askel the other day how the Traditional Latin Mass has really late, Baroque to be precise, esthetics, whereas in the rustic simplicity of Novus Ordo may lie the roots of its eventual vindication.
Yes, I remembered your naked Jesus thread vividly, as I embarked on this one today. We are doing fine so far.
God bless.
I wish! If only! It's more often abused in sort of sit-com, variety-show manner.
Our Ordinary Rite Mass at our home parish is reverent, but I would hardly call it rustic!
The TLM undoubtedly has baroque externals (thinking here of decorative elements and esp. when the music goes over the top), but there remains a no-nonsense Roman core of simplicity and economy. It's easier for me to see near the altar than for the pew-sitter, I'll grant you. There are also remnants of Byzantine court ceremonial (the bows, the maniples, etc.) which are especially pronounced at pontifical liturgies.
Your point about art is well-made. The academic styles quickly become insipid except in the hands of the greatest artists. In sacred art the key thing is that the artist be a believer all the way down. That's something that can emerge in the occasional genius, but most reliably appears in a monastic setting -- which goes to explain the power of eastern iconography.