If you consider art history since the first civilisations, then fine art is a fairly recent development and is the idea that something is ‘fine art’ as opposed to ‘applied arts’.
The recognition that the two either are or can be very different concepts coincides with a recognition from the 17th century and onwards of art primarily developed for aesthetic reasons.
To begin with, the term fine art denoted painting, sculpture, architecture, music and poetry. However, that has since been broadened up to include printmaking, film, photography, concept art and installation art.
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