The world of art is dynamic and vast. Originating from the Latin word “Artem” which means “work of art, practical skill, a business or a craft”, art is subjective and open to speculation. What might be interesting to one, might not appeal to other people at all. It includes art forms and types of different kinds, each inspired by the time of its existence. Art movements also had a profound impression on the kind of art that was developed during a time. Amidst this vast forms, there are two such forms which are widely popular but seldom discussed. These two forms are namely- fine arts and decorative arts.
In the strictest of the sense of the word, Fine art is defined as creative art especially visual arts which can be seen and appreciated for being imaginative or having an intellectual content. Decorative art, on the other hand, includes objects like tableware or textiles that are both beautiful and functional in nature.
The two separate nature of these art forms makes them unique and interesting for art enthusiasts. To understand these forms better, it is better to delve deep into the subject.
About Fine Art
The term was historically introduced as “visual arts”, it was only later that the etymology ‘fine art’ came into existence. Most of the pieces exhibited in art galleries and museums are categorized under this type. Fine art can be anything, from tribal and folk art paintings to sculptures, drawings to photographs, prints to lithographs. With the start of the 20th century, as humankind made advancements in science, fine art started including digital videos as well. This type of art is recognized for being ephemeral in nature. Highly perceptive and conceptual, the representation of a piece depends on an artist or an art enthusiast’s interpretation. Due to this, experts find it hard to define Fine art. A piece which is considered a classic right now might just lose its relevance in the future. The validity of Fine art is highly dependent on the audience, to say the least.
About Decorative Art
Unlike Fine art, the concept of decorative art hinges on both aesthetic appeal and high functionality. This category of art includes metalwork, woodwork, textiles, ceramics, cutlery and pottery to name a few. These objects are used in our daily lives, however, it is their appeal that is beautified and improved. From an ancient time, furniture, tapestries and even urns and bowls with decorative designs have garnered attention from enthusiasts. It is believed that these decorative art forms are the perfect reflection of the period they build in. Decorative art was always considered to be a form of mainstream art and thus its popularity is justified.
Though these two forms of art are completely different from each other, they individually uphold a lot about the era and the artist’s style. Though artists involved in creating decorative art are often termed as craftsmen/ craftswomen, it is still included in the vast world of art. Both fine art and decorative art are spectacular in their own way, narrating stories that are beautiful. All art enthusiasts in the art galleries in Delhi understand and appreciate the difference, welcoming both forms with open arms, carving a road to the future.
