1 [mass noun] the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power:the art of the Renaissancegreat art is concerned with moral imperfectionsshe studied art in Paris
works produced by human creative skill and imagination:his collection of modern art [as modifier]:an art critic
creative activity resulting in the production of paintings, drawings, or sculpture:she’s good at art
2 (the arts) the various branches of creative activity, such as painting, music, literature, and dance:the visual arts [in singular]:the art of photography
3 (arts) subjects of study primarily concerned with human creativity and social life, such as languages, literature, and history (as contrasted with scientific or technical subjects):the belief that the arts and sciences were incompatiblethe Faculty of Arts
4a skill at doing a specified thing, typically one acquired through practice:the art of conversation
art for art's sake
used to convey the idea that the chief or only aim of a work of art is the self-expression of the individual artist who creates it.
art is long, life is short
proverb there is so much knowledge to acquire that a lifetime is not sufficient.
