Why is the faculty of painting and drawing called "FINE ARTS"?

Answer 1

The term fine arts is equivalent to the older French term beaux arts, meaning “beautiful arts.” But in fact the term "fine arts" comprises all artistic works, including literature, architecture, drama, music, dance, opera, and even up-to-date forms such as television and movies. In fact, any work that is exceptionally well crafted may be described as "fine arts."

Answer 2

"In the old days" there were more kinds of art. Well they still are here but we don't consider them art in the way we do now consider things to be art.....that wasn't a very clear sentence.

The art of book printing, the art of stone cutting, the art of... you get the point, all the stuff we now call craft. And then there was the fine art. They were all art. Nowadays just fine art is art. The term still is in use but a bit superfluous.

(small correction: this is not about the general discussion about what art is. It is just about the word. Book printing and stone-cutting can still be art but it isn't 'automatically' art anymore.)

Answer 3

The definition of fine art is: Art produced or intended primarily for beauty rather than utility. The word "fine" does not so much denote the quality of the artwork in question, but the purity of the discipline. Ultimately, the term fine in 'fine art' comes from the concept of final cause, or purpose. The final cause of fine art is the art object itself; it is not a means to another end except perhaps to please those who behold it.
Read more:
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/fine+art
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fine_art
http://dyske.com/index.php?view_id=724

Answer 4

The first two answers couldn't be bettered for answering your very good question. The only thing I could add is that 'fine' can also be a way of saying 'refined', and worthy of the interest of a 'gentleman' (in historical terms).

Answer 5

.........and don't forget photography !

Photography can also fall into the category of Fine Art.