Prehistoric artPrehistoric artCave Art to StonehengeCave Art to Stonehenge

UNIT CONCEPTS

The Stone Age man invented representational art.

It used quick and unsophisticated strokes.

Art for them was utilitarian in that it was used as a form of magic or for religious purposes to gain control over an hostile environment.

historical background

Paleolithic Age:

Paleo= old, lith= stone

Dates: 33,000-10,000 B.C.

Mesolithic Age:

Meso = middle

Dates: 10,000-8,000 B.C.

Neolithic Age:

Neo = new

Dates= 8,000-2,000 B.C.

map

altamira

Altamira was first discovered in 1868. In 1875, Don Marcelino Sanz de Santuola started making explorations.

It wasn’t until 1879, when he took his daughter, Maria, with him that the cave art was discovered. Being short, she looked up at the low ceiling and discovered the cave art.

lascauxlascaux

On September 12, 1940, four French teenagers made a

great discovery, the cave art of Lascaux.

On September 12, 1940, four French teenagers made a

great discovery, the cave art of Lascaux.

paleolithic art

They did not yet understand about agriculture, therefore, all of their food they had to hunt or gather. They had to move around a lot in order to eat.

They did not build homes or other structures. They made some tents from animal skins, but mostly they lived in caves or other natural shelters.

Some caves had more significance and they returned there for generations.

MediaMediaFor brushes, they used mosses or mats or hair. Most of their pigment was earth colors: reds, yellows, and browns

from easily accessible materials. They also used charcoal from

their fires.

For brushes, they used mosses or mats or hair. Most of their pigment was earth colors: reds, yellows, and browns

from easily accessible materials. They also used charcoal from

their fires.

naturalistic approachnaturalistic approachThe animals looked realistic. They used the contours of the walls to accentuate.The animals looked realistic. They used the contours of the walls to accentuate.

twisted perspective

The bodies of the bulls are facing sideways, but the headsand the legs are twisted as if facing the hunters.

life’s mysteries

What are some of our life’s mysteries?

What are some of those deeper questions about life?

How do you find answers to these questions?

How does this art help them find meaning?

What does this art say about their culture?

Standing BisonStanding BisonAltamiraAltamira

Purposes of cave art

Length of period site used: If you look at the pictures, the animals overlap. They are using the same walls over and over and over again.

Chips and marks in the walls.

Magical purposes: Perhaps these paintings were made as a ritual in preparation for the hunt. Perhaps the men were seeking to gain some kind of magical control over the animals.

http://www.culture.gouv.fr/culture/arcnat/lascaux/en/http://www.culture.gouv.fr/culture/arcnat/lascaux/en/

Hall of Bulls, Lascaux

hunter/artist

Hardly any men are depicted. Why?

Does this theory lend itself to the Well Scene?

Comments/theories about Well Scene

sorcerer/ shamansorcerer/ shaman

reindeerreindeer

paleolithic sculpture

Like painting, sculpture also represented things that were important to them.

Most sculptures that have survived are made of stone. Like the contours of cave painting, artists looked for stones that had a shape resembling what was to be sculpted. Example: Bison with Turned Head

Details were incised into the stone.

standing bisonstanding bison

What can we learn from this piece? How is this a reflection of society?What can we learn from this piece? How is this a reflection of society?

fertility

In a time when life-expectancy wasn’t very long, the gift of birth must have seemed to be the ultimate miracle.

Women were respected as the bearers of new life

Once again, by creating symbols, they hoped to gain some control over these mystical events. Many, many fertility symbols have been found from this time period.

venus of willendorfvenus of willendorf

Venus symbolismVenus was the Roman god of beauty and love. Oftentimes women sculptures are named “Venus.”

No identity. No facial features.

Conceptual Art. Small, skinny arms over large breasts and belly. Highly symbolic.

Women’s role in society.