The principle reason that the phenomena of kitsch -did not- occur in earlier eras (where we certainly had elites and servant artisan classes - painters, architects, musicians, ..) is that their yet existed a shared cultural context (in the widest sense including religious and ~metaphysical beliefs) between the ruling and subject classes. For example, Michelangelo's David afforded everyone access at some level to the work.
As the elite and the common man diverged in their existential outlook, this manifested (naturally) in the high culture artifacts. There has been a great deal of effort over the years to herd the unwashed :) to appreciating the art of the new masters but the peasants at most have acquiesced to respectfully holding their caps as they silently march through the galleries.
So it is important to have this periodic 'shaming' articles.