Final answer:
Giotto's realistic and expressive painted figures marked a significant shift from the Byzantine style, engaging viewers with more lifelike depictions of religious narratives during the Early Renaissance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Giotto's painted figures significantly impacted viewers who were accustomed to religious stories presented in earlier art, primarily because of his break with the Byzantine tradition. He employed innovative techniques like foreshortening, chiaroscuro, and expressive figures, which differed from the stylized and idealized representations from the International Gothic style that preceded him. Giotto's realistic depictions also conveyed religious narratives in a way that was more accessible to the largely illiterate population, who learned about these stories through visual means rather than textual ones.
During the Early Renaissance, artists like Giotto began to prioritize realism in their artwork, making the human form and space more lifelike and relatable. This shift in style was a step toward the more naturalistic portrayals of religious figures and scenes, which emphasized individual experience and emotion, stimulating a deeper connection for viewers who were otherwise limited by their illiteracy.