The esteem of artist changed in the renaissance when they came to be seen as

The artist's esteem changed during the renaissance, when they came to be seen as intellectuals.

Explanation:

Before the Renaissance, artists were considered to be mere artisans and their work was not so admired and esteemed by the general population. However, with the renaissance, artists came to be considered intellectuals, esteemed and desired within society. The artists' work in the Renaissance started to be financed by the nobility and by great people of the society who ordered great works. This made artists become a type of celebrity and their opinions and works were of great value.