I agree with you, mostly. I don't think Rembrandt, or Caravaggio, or almost any other pre-impressionists look photographic. They're representational, but they'r

I agree with you, mostly. I don't think Rembrandt, or Caravaggio, or almost any other pre-impressionists look photographic. They're representational, but they're also highly stylized. All of the 'Old Masters' exaggerated or idealized forms, and exaggerated temperature, gamut, and contrast. The number of people that actually meant to practice trompe l'oeil (fool the eye) is very small. Trompe l'oeil is generally seen as a schtick; if you don't have anything original to add, then don't bother.