THE CAVE PAINTINGS
The first form of Art that we know are the images on the cave dwelling. Ceiling of a cave at Altamira, Spain. c. 12,500 BCE. Paint on Limestone, approx 8’3�
Before people could write or use metal to make tools, they were painting and scratching pictures of animals on the even walls of caves shelters.
Where were cave paintings discovered?
Most caves were found in Europe, many in Spain and France. In Spain, the cave of Altamira was discovered in 1879
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyIfPbn0RDs
In France, the cave of Lascaux was discovered in 1941, the cave of Chavet was discovered in 1994 and the Cave of Pech-merle was discovered in 1922
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnSq0c7jM-A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2ycvQ80MdA
Cave paintings in Spain
Altamira Cave painting
Altamira Cave painting The way in which many of the animals have been painted on the uneven rock surfaces seems to accent the swelling muscles and hollows of their bodies. Vocabulary Hollow :cavitĂ Swelling: rigonfiamento Crude: rozzo Deer: cervo
Though their tools were crude, prehistoric artists were able to demonstrate a knowledge and an affection for the animals they hunted. What they knew and felt was combined with a sensitive artistic instinct. This enabled them to capture in paint the power of a bison, the fleetness of a horse, the gentleness of deer.
Hall of the Bison. Altamira Caves, Spain. c. 15,000–11,000 B.C.
Vocabulary Lumps: pezzet Powder: polvere reed: canna Bristle brush: spazzola di setole Reddish : rossiccio Hue: tonalità
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Altamira Cave painting
LOKING
Closely
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MATERIALS AND PROCESSES A close examination of this cave painting at Altamira reveals some of the details about how the artist worked with available materials to create this work. •Pigment. The fresh, vivid color makes it seem as if the animals had just been painted. The pigments, or coloring mix- ture, were made from lumps of clay and soft stone that were ground into fine powder. They were then mixed with animal fat, blood, or some other medium. •Brushes. The pigment was applied to the smoothest surfaces with the fingers, although more advanced techniques— perhaps involving some kind of reed or bristle brush—were also used. •Technique. The artist scratched the outline of the animal on the stone and then filled in the lines with black or dark brown pigment to give it a firm edge. Next, the animal was filled in with different shades of reddish brown hue. This shading technique helped create the impression of a three-dimensional form.
How the cave paintings were made?
Some of the materials used to apply the pigment to cave walls include: Fingers Reed Plants Sticks Fur
and bristle brush
Can you think of anything else that may have been used?
Some of the materials used for pigment include: Clay Soft
stone
Fat Blood Crushed
plants and berries
Ashes
These elements were mixed together Can you think of anything else that may have been used?
Altamira Cave painting
Altamira Cave painting
Cave paintings in France
Hall of Bulls, Lascaux Caves, 15,000 BC
Lascaux Cave painting
Lascaux Cave painting
Pech- Merle painting
Chauvet Cave painting
Cave paintings were limited almost exclusively to animals, mostly deer, bison, boar, wild horses, etc Why?
Probably because prehistoric people depended on animals for food Some believe that cave paintings were part of magic rituals before the hunt. What kinds of rituals do we use today?
Studying in deep Lascaux Caves
LASCAUX CAVES It was discovered by four boys in 1940 somewhat accidentally. They found a large hole near a tree that had fallen on a hill.
In 1948, the cave was turned into a public prehistoric museum.
LASCAUX CAVES In 1955 the first signs of deterioration appeared on the cave paintings. The heat, humidity, and carbon dioxide of 1200 every day visitors began to deteriorate the paintings. In 1963, it was closed to the public, restored, and monitored daily.
Elements that can damage the caves • Bacteria, that can contaminate the area And create • Molds and fungi • Carbon dioxide (Co2), that come from people’s breath • The temperature, that can grow very quickly, can damage or alter the paintings
LASCAUX CAVES In 1983, Lascaux II was opened. It was a replica of the original to visit, without harming the original.
LASCAUX CAVES In 1998 the original caves were plagued with molds and fungi because of air conditioning to Lascaux II and high powered lights. Permanent damage was done to the cave walls.
In 2008 the cave was completely closed to the public
The Cave of Chauvet the greatest reproduction of a prehistoric cave
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OLaNtKoJFk
How to date the cave paintings?
Dating Prehistoric Art ď ľ One
way is to date the artifact based on the age of the surrounding layers of earth.
ď ľ Another
way is through radiocarbon dating of once-living objects found near the artifact
Dating Prehistoric Art ď ľ Radiocarbon
Dating
In general, all living organisms maintain a known amount of radioactive carbon 14. After an organism’s death, the carbon 14 loses its radioactivity at a known rate. By measuring how much radioactivity is left in charcoal or carbonized bones, for instance, it is possible to determine their age. When these objects are found in caves where prehistoric paintings are located, scholars are able to determine the approximate date the paintings were produced. Video radiocarbon dating.com/watch?v=phZeE7Att_s
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Who made this?
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When did they make it? Why did they make it? How did they make it? Why did they choose this location? How has it stayed so well-preserved?
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What does this tell me about the people who made it ?
THE SCULPTURES
Rock Carvings and Standing Stones Abstract symbols were carved into stone by prehistoric people during the Paleolithic period. Spirals and concentric arcs appear etched in standing stones, as well as on flat rock surfaces. Detailed relief sculptures carved in stone or horn survive as evidence of prehistoric artists’ carving skills Some examples‌ Woman from Willendorf, Austria, limestone, 22,000 BC How tall do you think it is? 4.75 inches tall (12 cm) Her exaggerated female form express health and fertility
What do you think this bison is doing? Bison Licking Insect Bite Francia, Dordogna This relief sculpture is executed on a piece of horn
THE BUILDING
ď ľ Megalith
Terms to Know a large stone that forms a prehistoric monument (e.g. a standing stone) or part of one (e.g. a stone circle).
Carnac Stones in French
Rano Raraku Megalith in Sweden
Easter Island in Chile
ď ľ Post
and Lintel
Stonehenge Wiltshire, England
is a building system where strong horizontal elements (lintel) are held up by strong vertical elements (post) with large spaces between them.
Today ancient megaliths, or large monuments created from huge stone slabs, lie scattered across Europe, India, Asia, and even the Americas. Remnants of primitive stone art have been discovered all across the globe. Archaeologists once thought that the skills in building and design demonstrated by the megalith builders had originated from more advanced civilizations in the Near East. As more accurate research becomes available, it appears that the architectural methods of prehistoric peoples developed independently in several geographical areas, perhaps earlier than previously believed Vocabulary slabs :lastra
Stonehenge, Whiltshire, England, 2750-1500 BCE
Video Stonehenge
As early as 4000 B.C., unusual circular arrangements of huge, rough-hewn stones were being erected in western Europe. The most famous of these is at Stonehenge in England Built in several stages around 2000 B.C., Stonehenge consists of a large ring of stones with three progressively smaller rings within. The outermost ring is nearly 100 feet in diameter. Of the 30 original upright stones, more than half are still standing. The tallest of these is about 17 feet and weighs over 50 tons. Stonehenge is an early example of post-and-lintel construction, in which massive posts support crossbeams, or lintels.
Vocabulary huge :gigantesco, enorme Rough-hewn: rozzo
Every year on the Summer Solstice, when standing in line with the Heel Stone, this is the view.
Questions concerning Stonehenge have baffled scholars for centuries. What purpose did this prehistoric monument serve? How did people working with the most primitive tools quarry and transport these huge stone blocks across many miles? How did they raise the blocks into position? Today most scholars think it served as a kind of astronomical observatory, enabling prehistoric people to make accurate predictions about the seasons. Whatever its purpose, the impact of Stonehenge is undeniable. Mysterious, massive, and silent, it is a durable testament to the emerging ingenuity of our prehistoric ancestors.
Vocabulary baffle :interrogato, sconcertato
Video: How could they do this?
Stone Age Art History – Goodbye Academy Video: The Stone Age
Reviewing Art Facts
1.Explain How did prehistoric artists give their cave paintings a threedimensional look? 2.Describe Within the caves where prehistoric paintings have been found, where are the paintings located? What does their location indicate? 3.Define What is a megalith? 4.Identify Give an example of post- and-lintel construction.