What is Art?

This week, we were to read the first chapter of Believing is Seeing, by Mary Anne Staniszewski, in which we were faced with the dilemma, what exactly is art? It's simple, the idea of art is something  that is created with the sole purpose of evoking some sense of emotion. It is important to note that it is created by the artist, not due to purpose or decree,  but due to the artist finding the need to create this piece of art. That is the distinction between historical pieces of "art", that were not necessarily art back when they were created.

Which causes this to not be art, as it was commissioned:

http://webneel.com/daily/sites/default/files/images/daily/02-2013/13-pavel-stroganov-old-painting.jpg


But this is, as it was created for expression:

http://feedurn.com/web/upload/1427428899-michael-jackson-art-hd-wallpapers-231r1lx.jpg



Similarly, this is not considered art, as it is meant to reflect God's magnificence, and had religious intentions

http://dreamatico.com/data_images/jesus/jesus-5.jpg





But this is, as though it is religious, there is no outward forces otherwise causing it to be created, other than the act of expression.

http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large/jesus-art--cloud-colored-christ-come-ashleigh-moore.jpg