Paleolithic Art

Paleolithic Art

Paleolithic art, dating back to the late Paleolithic period 40,000-10,000 B.C. (the Stone Age), is one of the most beautiful, natural periods of cave art and clay sculptures. Created by Nomadic hunters and gatherers with ivory, wood, and bone, these figures were thought to be symbolic and have some magical or ritual relevance. Figures and drawings have been found in all parts of the world dating back to the Cro-Magnon man as late as 60,000 years ago.

There are two different periods of overlapping periods. The first, dating between 14,000-13,500 B.C., is the Aurignacio-Perigordian. This period included the contents of the Lauscaux cave paintings, the many sculptures at Laussel, and the voluptuous feminine figures called Venuses (Columbia Press, 1). The second, named the Solutres-Magdalenian period, dating back to 14,000-9,500 B.C., includes murals of Rouffignac and Niaux, and the ceiling decors in Spain (Columbia Press, 1).

Paleolithic art falls into two distinct categories: portable pieces and cave art. Portable art was carved from bone, stone, or modeled from clay. Most has been found in Europe, Africa, and Siberia (Encarta, 1). The cave art comprised mostly of drawings and paintings recovered in mostly Spain and France (Versaware, 1). A possible third art category is mentionable also. Rock art is comprised of carvings and drawings on rock surfaces, but little of this art has been discovered (Encarta, 1). This form of art has founded many of today...

PALEOLITHIC VS. NEOLITIC ART The following is a comparison of art from the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods in history. Paleolithic Art is art that was produced about 32,000 to 11,000 years ago. The art of the Paleolithic period falls into two main categories: portable pieces, such as small figurines or decorated objects, and cave art. Paleolithic art usually is classified as either figurative that is, depicting animals or humans, or nonfigurative, taking the form of signs and symbols. The portable art of the Paleolithic period was carved out of bone, antler, or stone, or modeled in clay. They consist of carefully worked small flint figurines of people, animals and birds, which are schematic and stylized and were probably used as amulets. This art has been found in much of Europe, in Northern Africa, and in Siberia. Paleolithic cave art, discovered in the 1860s by French paleontologist Edouard Lartet, primarily in northern Spain and southern France, takes the form of paintings, drawings, and engravings on cave walls. Artistic objects made during the Paleolithic era occupy an important place in history, since this is the only source from which we can reconstruct and study people of ancient times. The meaning and purpose of such objects from the Paleolithic