THE Art in the Paleolithic Period (Age of Pedra Lascada) designates the art produced during the first period of prehistory, known (together with the Neolithic) of the "Stone Age", that is, it covers since the emergence of humanity, around 4.4 million years, until 8000 a. Ç.. This is one of the greatest periods in history, and is therefore divided into:
- Lower Paleolithic (2000000 to 40000 a. Ç.)
- Upper Paleolithic (40000 to 10000 a. Ç.)
Learn more about this period in the article: Paleolithic Period or Chipped Stone Age.
Features
Horse Drawing in Altamira Cave, Spain
Art in the Paleolithic period is considered the oldest art of mankind, mostly developed by primitive peoples during the Upper Paleolithic. Note that these first artistic manifestations of humanity were located through archaeological excavations carried out from the 20th century, mainly in Asia, Africa and Europe.
In large part, art in this period was produced in caves, where nomadic men, hunters and gatherers, protected themselves from the elements and wild animals.
However, in addition to paintings, they also produced decorated objects and sculptures in human forms, mostly voluminous female forms (supposedly indicating fertility), made from rocks, bones or wood. It is believed that the female forms were used in rituals associated with fertility and sexuality. Other types of abstract figures were found, for example, scratches and tangled lines.
Call of rock art the men of that period used vegetable residues, blood, coal, clay, earth or human excrement, to make impressions on stones, whether figures (human and animal), reliefs or abstract drawings (scratches, symbols, etc.). It was common to find figures of men hunting animals (bisons, deer, horses, etc.).
Note that art in the Paleolithic is closely related to the spiritual field, so men were already looking for supernatural explanations for life on Earth. According to researches, the artist was considered a “superior being”, who possessed magical powers, which mediated between reality and divine art.
Although there was the replacement of Neanderthal man by homo sapiens in the Upper Paleolithic, man from the Paleolithic he still couldn't distinguish the reality from the dream very well, thus mixing life and art. In short, art was part of the life of Paleolithic men and had a magical purpose.
Thus, art represented an "initiation ritual", that is, men represented hunting scenes on the walls of the caves, believing that somehow it would come true and therefore allow the survival of the group.
Likewise, female sculptures could bring fertility, thus ensuring human reproduction, the best known of which is the "Venus of Willendorf", found in Austria. In short, art in this period had an objective, purpose or purpose of interaction between man and nature and, for this reason, it had realistic and naturalistic characteristics.
However, it is important to highlight that this art differs from the concept that we accept today, as it did not have an objective of contemplation and/or adornment. Thus, it is believed that Paleolithic men were not concerned with the aesthetic values of artistic objects, but with their ability to act in the supernatural world.
Although it was already possible to find some kind of technique or specialization in Paleolithic art, in the following period (Neolithic Period or Polished Stone Age), given the important transformations that have taken place at the geological and societal level, art becomes more comprehensive, thus presenting new styles.
To expand your knowledge, read:
- Art in the Neolithic Period
- Art in Prehistory
- Prehistory: Characteristics and Periods
