Examples of commercial art include mass-produced popular prints to delicately designed figurines. Art which is made available to the general public is considered to be commercial art. If a painting by an Old Master is auctioned, then that will not be considered to be commercial art but fine art, though it is available to be bought by anyone who pays the asking price. The main purpose of commercial art, for the seller, is not purely down to aesthetics, but is down to how well it will sell. Fine arts and crafts have an emphasis on the art primarily, but it will still often be designed with sales in mind, even if it is to benefit charities rather than the artists themselves.
Commercial art is often criticized, because it is perceived to be about making money and not about making art. Art is given a greater respect by art critics when it is seen to be created purely for its own sake. But all artists need to have money, and great painters and sculptors of the past were given patronage by rich and powerful members of society. It is arguable as to how many were really creating the art which they wished to create. Today, some artists or photographers will love their work, but they will also be in the fortunate position of keeping their artistic integrity and be commercially successful. Some artistic people will also create things which have a practical purpose. In fine arts and crafts, a beautifully made wicker basket will often be kept by its maker, but many will still make such baskets for the purpose of selling.
Fine art will be displayed in art galleries and museums, and much of it will be considerably older than commercial art. Much fine art will be worth vast sums of money, too. Modern fine art will be more valued by art critics than even commercial art which is more unusual. Though it is very rare for a work of art by a very famous painter to be sold cheaply, this is not so true of fine arts and crafts, especially furniture. There will be occasions when antique furniture is sold for an an inexpensive price, or given away, simply because its value isn't known. If furniture is not properly valued and sold at an auction, then a valuable chair or table will often end up as firewood.
There is a belief that fine art and fine arts and crafts are difficult to learn. Commercial art, though, may require just as much skill. Because money is seen to be the motivating force in commercial art, there is often a perception that not so much time and care has been put into its creation. Some commercial art items stand up very well against much more famous works of art. If they weren't considered to be commercial art, then they would be viewed in isolation much more favorably.