Useful Art ?

1    Question: 
             Is art supposed to be useful by society’s standards? In what ways can art be useful? How have people used art in history in a useful way?  
             
             Most people do not see their bed frame or kitchen sink as art. It was manufactured and replicated so it's not unique or the only one. Its initial purpose is to be useful. If the sink or bed frame is pleasing to the eye, which most people look for when they buy products, then that is a plus for the consumer. The paintings by Michelangelo and the Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci are only suppose to be there to look at, hence why there is only one original. Sure, they have been replicated but only so people can put them above their fireplace to have for conversation. 

            Art can be used to express emotion or communicate a message. In the original Washington Crossing the Delaware, Washington is standing tall leading the people to something better; hence they are going toward the direction of the light in the painting and leaving the darkness. This was in public view around the time of the Civil War to show people that we were once united fighting together during the American Revolution. Moreover, communication through art has existed for a while, for example, Cave Art. Limestone caves in Lascaux, France reveal drawings of animals created with moss and mineral pigments around 15,000-10,000 BCE (before the Common Era). Cave Art reveals animals of the time and stories about life during that time period.

  

                                                  Washington Crossing the Delaware