One of my art teachers used to say that since the invention of photography the role of figurative artstists was over. So they should now concentrate on exploring new fields of mostly abstract creativity.
Of course I don't adhere to that school of thought.
The fact that art in all its forms is a human need close to faith is evident since the abandonment of churches by the artists, new temples for art have been built, in the form of museums and galleries. These institutions in fact do not have the sole purpose of preserving the furniture of history and providing moments of pleasure on a Sunday afternoon but also feeding the soul with beauty and satisfaction.