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Take one look at the Sistine Chapel’s roof, and you’d bet anything that the stunning fresco counts as fine art. Surprisingly, though, some people in the modern art world would contest that claim. So you may ask yourself, what distinguishes fine art from art in general?
Fine art is artwork created for its aesthetic or intellectual value. Making such pieces requires immense skill and technique. This subcategory of art includes some forms of drawings, paintings, sculptures, printmaking, and architecture. It does not include art made for commercial reasons.
I will explain a few topics related to fine art over the rest of this article, like the differences between fine art and art and how this distinction has changed over the years. I’ll also explain what counts as decorative art and whether or not it falls under the category of fine art.
Art is a broad subject. It includes everything from prehistoric sculptures to ads commissioned by conglomerates. This huge amalgamation of art pieces is divided into many subtypes: fine art is one of those subtypes.
Let’s go over the generally accepted characteristics of what defines fine art.
One of the most important characteristics of fine art is that it is made for no reason other than making it.
The artist could have an emotional connection to the people or places they’re carving, painting, or drawing. Alternatively, they could want to portray a political message through their piece.
As long as their motivation isn’t practical or financial, their piece qualifies as fine art.
Animations can count as fine art in some situations. However, suppose a person or company has commissioned the animator to create a short film. In that case, their work won’t fall under the category of fine art, irrespective of how beautiful or impactful it is.
This exclusion is why some people would argue that the Sistine Chapel doesn’t count as fine art.
The fresco is gorgeous, incorporates multiple complex techniques, and is one of the most well-known art pieces globally. However, the fact that it was commissioned means it doesn’t fall under fine art.
Despite this, Michelangelo’s fresco holds an important place in the art world and is generally accepted as a High Renaissance fine art piece.
This acceptance shows that just because something doesn’t fall under the strict requirements of what counts as fine art today doesn’t necessarily mean that the art world considers them commercial art.
The second important characteristic of fine art has to do with how one uses it.
Art is often made for utilitarian purposes. Some examples include painted vases and hand-woven rugs. With the proper detailing and craftsmanship, these items can be breathtaking.
However, they can’t be called fine art. This subtype of art doesn’t include functional or practical works in any way.
The only purpose fine art serves is a chance to appreciate the piece. So you’ll find this subtype hanging in museums, stored in private collections, and fitted in galleries.
With time, artists discover new mediums and techniques to incorporate into their work. These innovations affect the definition of what counts as fine art. So over the past few centuries, this definition has evolved considerably. It is likely to continue doing so in the future.
This constant need for evolution and updating leads to a lot of confusion in the art world. While it isn’t new, it does lead to heated debates and arguments. Whether or not the Sistine Chapel’s roof comes under fine art is one of these points of debate.
While the modern art world generally believes that art needs to be pure from money to be considered proper art, this wasn’t the case in olden times. The upper classes or the Church commissioned almost all historical art.
Refusing to consider all of them as fine art because of today’s understanding of how one should create art seems unfair to some. Others, however, remain firm in their values and views.
Another reason why the definition of fine art has changed over time is because of the mediums and techniques used.
During the era of ancient Roman and Greeks culture, people with technical expertise in carving and other crafts were considered fine artists. Consequently, their work was regarded as fine art.
Then during the Renaissance, artists like Leonardo de Vinci explored new techniques and mediums. For example, de Vinci coined the term sfumato for an oil painting method used in fine art.
Today, artists are advancing even further using mediums like acrylic paint which was invented in the 1930s. Not only this, digital art is fast becoming the artist's new medium and raising further questions about what the definition of high art may embrace in the future.
Decorative art is any art piece that serves a utilitarian purpose and refers primarily to objects with a design or decorative function. Decorative art pieces combine beauty with function and not just aesthetic appeal. These can include objects from vases and rugs to textiles and metalware.
Much like fine art, decorative art is another subtype of the wider art world. It also focuses on aesthetics and design. So the most important difference between the two art forms is that decorative art serves a purpose.
This merging of aesthetics and functionality is not a recent innovation but has origins as far back as prehistoric Japanese culture.
One of the most commonly known examples is the Faberge eggs. These highly coveted jeweled eggs made in Tsarist Russia were once given as Easter gifts.
While the definition of fine arts changes over time, it's interesting to observe how the perception of fine art evolves along with our modern culture.
Under today’s standards, fine art is any piece of artwork that has aesthetic value and isn’t commissioned or created for a practical purpose. These conditions aim to ensure that it’s the purest form of art.
Unlike commercial art, it isn’t influenced by what the masses will appreciate and won’t bend to the requirements of the purpose it’s meant to serve as decorative art would. Instead, it’s an extension of the artist as ‘art for art’s sake’ without anything or anyone clouding their intentions.
