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Prehistoric depictions of animals & humans -
late Paleolithic ('old stone age'); c. 40,000 / 25,000 - 10,000 BC Caves - Lascaux (Fr.), Altamira (Sp.), many others smaller. East Europe - more sculptures, less painting. Limited art sites also found in the Mediterranean. |
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Above:
probably a 'shaman' dressed as a deer engaged in a ritual dance.
Right: Small Bison carving. |
social interpretation:
quasi-religous 'Art of the Hunt' - sympathetic magic or voodoo |
'the artist/magician' -
development of specialization in human industry & beginning of limited 'leisure' time, still devoted to a 'practical' art intended to produce results |
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some
other topics discussed :
- relatively modern discovery of both major caves mentioned above. Initial scholarly skepticism. Anthropological studies of contemporary 'primitive' cultures to help understand 'prehistoric' culture. Sizes of art mentioned. Evidence of 'Paleolithic' art in Europe first, later in other parts of the world. |
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types
of images shown on slide :
Views of some of the caves & their surroundings; floor plans of caves tools & artistic implements simple markings; 'meander' drawings; also silhouettes of hands depictions of 'witch-doctor' figures (also see above left) & male and female fertility symbols as abstractions etchings into stone & bone of animals (see above right) & some people sexual & magical pendants natural stone formations suggesting imagery |
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