Categories of Prehistoric Art

• Upper Paleolithic: c. 40,000 - c. 8,000 BC

Paleo (Old) Lith (stone) “Old Stone Age”

• Mesolithic: c. 8,000 – c. 6,000 BC

(Date varies depending on geography)

Meso (Middle) “Middle Stone Age”

• Neolithic: c. 6,000 – 3,000 BC

Neo (New) “New Stone Age”

Upper Paleolithic Art

Period

c. c. c. 40,000 – c. 8,000 BC4

R0Read in your text and discuss the climate and lifestyle in Europe at this time.

,000 BC – c. 8,000 BC

Read in your text and discuss the climate and living conditions at this time in Europe.

Lascaux Cave

Dordogne, FranceCa

c. 17,000-15,000 BC

Plan of Lascaux

We will start by looking at the “Great Hall of the Bulls”. Notice it

at the top.

Hall of the Bulls, Lascaux

Lascaux, Detail of Bulls

Hall of Bulls, View of superimposing and dots

Drawing of the Hall of Bulls

This shows the superimposing. Notice the large black line crossing over a small reindeer.

DeSee the smaller cows painted within the larger bull.

Hall of Bulls, Reindeer

Lascaux Cave

Dordogne, FranceCa

c. 17,000-15,000 BC

Plan of Lascaux

Now we will look at the area called the “painted gallery” (also known as the “axial gallery”) See

it?

Painted Gallery (Axial Gallery)

Axial Gallery

AxialAxial Gallery Reindeer

DrawAxial Gallery Layout Axial Gallery

Painted Gallery (Axial Gallery)

Lascaux Bison,, Back to Back

Well Scene (“Shaft of the Dead Man”)

Detail, Well Scene

Summary of the Technique of Lascaux Cave

• Used only earth colors, the ochre's. Thus limited to reds, browns, and yellow tones. No blue or green.

• Applied the paint with animal brushes as well as their hand. In addition, used a blowing technique—blew pigment through hollowed out bone tube.

Font de Gaume Cave,, France, Reindeer

Font de Gaume Bison

Cave of Pech Merle

Handprints, Gargas Cave, France

Chauvet Hand print

Summary of the Style of Lascaux Cave and other caves• The style is primarily perceptual, meaning the

artists use various means to create a natural image. Such as:

– Light and shadow contrast or shading– Modeling the anatomy with light & shadow– Anatomical accuracy– Correct proportions– Natural colors– Modeling the anatomy with light & shadow– Anatomical accuracy– Correct proportions

The Meaning of Cave Art

Hunting Magic Theory – Henri Breiul

Fertility Theory – Andre Leroi-Gourhan

Seasonal Notation Theory – Alex. Marshack

Entoptic Theory – David Lewis-Williams

Paleolithic bone carvings

Carved bone rods

Laussel “Venus”This is one of several so-called “Venuses” found from prehistoric times. It is an obvious fertility idol due to the emphasis on the enlarged areas of the body connecting to fertility. Plus you see how it has no emphasis on the face or feet. Notice how she holds a bison horn in one hand. She also has some reddish color preserved.

Paleolithic Ivory Carved Head of a woman

Color picture of the ivory head.

Notice how she has no carved eyes, only eye brows, and no mouth. These may have been painted on. Still the delicate

long neck gives a sense of beauty. Perhaps she was a goddess.