The very first historic example of art that I know of is the drop-shaped hand-axe. It's beauty was due, at least in part, to show how well a specific craftsman could form his tools. It had at least two functions: as a tool and as a thing of beauty. Some were found either unused and in pristine condition or too large to use at all. Having a well crafted, state-of-the-art tool was a huge benefit when you wanted to select a mate.
In biology, like economics, there are limited resources and unlimited desire. That is, in part, what gives rise to biological evolution; the most efficient species or variant is dominant.
The quality of art depends on it's effectiveness to convey a particular message or adhere to a specific method. A specific method is one way to use the resources you have in an effective way to express an emotion, idea or image. Just as in language, the quality of the writing often has to do with the ability to translate ideas and (often neglected) brevity. The symbolism of language itself is an exercise in simplicity. For the simplicity of language to exist, there must be a great network of complexity to express.
So, I'll end with this:
Biological evolution and the history of artwork have this in common...
Flexibility allows diversity.
Complexity precedes simplicity.
Efficiency is uncomplicated.
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