what does art mean to ari? to his father? why?

During his time in Chicago, Dante (as he reveals in his letters) frequently visits the Art Institute of Chicago, a world-class art gallery. There he becomes emotionally attached to two paintings which represent key aspects of his life: "Nighthawks" evokes, in him, Ari's loneliness and makes Dante miss him even more; "Raft of the Medusa" represents/triggers Dante's belief that a painting can tell a story and reveal deeper truths about human existence.