I really don't think it has anything to do with scarcity. Plenty of artists, even popular modern and contemporary ones, work in a naturalistic style. The circles that certain works are valued in are diverse. But right now it's a subjective free for all where as the old Masters were high skilled craftsmen. Yes scarcity. It takes money to hire a fine craftsman and they can command a high price because of their skills. But like building a piece of fine furniture or building an expensive house. I really can't think of anything equivalent today. To say that the taste makers of today are the same as patrons four hundred years ago ignores a lot of factors. I'm on my phone. I can't hold a thought well enough to explain anything. And it's not as if we're that far apart in opinion.