Ever/siempre's Photostream. C215's Photostream. Professional Artist Magazine | formerly Art Calendar. Art & Culture Online. Fine art. Fine art, from the 17th century on, has meant art forms developed primarily for aesthetics, distinguishing them from applied arts that also have to serve some practical function. Historically, the 5 main fine arts were painting, sculpture, architecture, music and poetry, with performing arts including theater and dance.[1] Today, the fine arts commonly include additional forms, such as film, photography, conceptual art, and printmaking. However, in some institutes of learning or in museums, fine art and frequently the term fine arts (pl.) as well, are associated exclusively with visual art forms. [citation needed] The word "fine" does not so much denote the quality of the artwork in question, but the purity of the discipline.
[citation needed] This definition tends to exclude visual art forms that could be considered craftwork or applied art, such as textiles. The visual arts has been described as a more inclusive and descriptive phrase for current art practice. History[edit] Mosaics[edit]