Ancient art: Lascaux & Altamira Caves, Venus of Willendorf
You are here:
HomeHistoryAncient art: Lascaux & Altamira…
CAVE PAINTINGS
Most paintings tend to be of animals – likely due to their dependence on animals for food
Animals were believed to have been painted before a hunt – used as a form of magic to weaken their prey and therefore make them easier to hunt
Paintings are painted on the natural rock surface, which helps to add depth to the forms
Paintings were all found in caves that were set back from the main entrance – believed to be a separate area from the living quarters, perhaps used for some kind of spiritual activity
Paintings were painted overtop of one another – this suggests the original purpose of the paintings was more practical than artistic
Bison, Cave Painting, Altamira Caves c. 15,000-10,000 B. C
Altamira caves were found in 1879 – a hunter’s dog fell into a hole that proved to be the blocked entrance to an unknown cave – the cave paintings were on the ceiling – only discovered by a 5 year old girl – the only person who could stand upright (everyone else had to bend over)
Animals are painted in shades of red, brown, and black
Paintings primarily focus on bison
Bison were hunted for food, skin, bones and fur
There are at least 16 bison grouped in the centre of the ceiling – surrounded by 2 boars and a deer
Pictures are of the animals only – no landscape or horizontal base
Technical advancement at Altamira – the animals are painted on the natural protrusions from the rock face – gives them depth – also accurate proportions, used many different colours

Can We Write Your Essay?

Ace your next assignment with help from a professional writer. Free proofreading and copy-editing included.

Check the Price
Hire a Writer
Get Help
Interior of the Lascaux Caves
The entrance to the cave was found by 4 teenaged boys – they stumbled upon the entrance when they found a hole leading to the cave under a tree that had been uprooted
Lascaux caves were discovered in 1940-41.
The caves in Lascaux are filled with paintings of bison, deer, horses, and cattle – all running across the walls
Some are simply outlined in black, others are filled in with bright earth colours – all show an uncanny sense of life
After WWII – the cave entrance was enlarged and the floors lowered to enable a constant flow of tourists (1200 people per day)
By 1955, the first indications of deterioration of the paintings appeared – due to the excess of carbon dioxide in the air brought about by the visitor’s breath
The Ministry of Cultural Affairs had the cave closed on April 20, 1963
Once the visits to the cave stopped, the causes of the changes eliminated, and the original climatic conditions recreated, the Lascaux cave art returned to its original state
A replica was opened in 1983 – called Lascaux II
Man with Bison and Rhinoceros
Lascaux Caves
Dordogne, France,
c. 15,000-10,000 B. C

This painting was found on the lower level at the back of the Chamber of Engravings
Representation portrays the confrontation between the man and the bison with a fleeing rhinoceros on the left
The animal’s aggressiveness is portrayed by the lowered head, as if it were ready to gore its adversary
Venus of Willendorf
Believed to have been a fertility idol carried by the men on their hunt (acted as a reminder of their mate back home)
Round, bulbous form indicates wealth (lots of food to eat)
Exaggerated sexuality – may be emphasizing child bearing
Highly detailed texture in the hair, yet no face – perhaps so that the owner could imagine her to be whoever they wanted
Venus of Willendorf, c. 24,000-22,000 BC, limestone, 11.1 cm, found in Austria (1908)