Works of art were produced prior to the Renaissance, such as a wall painting in an ancient Roman house; however, that art would have been created by an artisan, not an artist like modern times. The difference resides in the role of the worker. An artisan is a skilled craftsman. On the other hand, an artist attempts to convey his message through art. As Robert Henri noted, an artist is a “self-expressing creature,” not just a skilled worker. The meaning of the artwork is much deeper when created by an artist. 

To further clarify the distinction between an artist and artisan, watch the video below.