Prehistoric Art (Before 3000 BCE)

Definition & Background:
Prehistoric art refers to the earliest forms of human expression, created before the advent of written history. These artworks include cave paintings, petroglyphs, carvings, and figurines, often depicting animals, hunting scenes, and spiritual beliefs. The art served purposes ranging from ritualistic and religious functions to storytelling and documentation of daily life.

Five Key Prehistoric Artists / Cultures & Their Works:

1. Lascaux Cave Painters (France, c. 17,000 BCE)

   • Bio: Anonymous Paleolithic artists who created elaborate cave paintings in southwestern France.
   • Notable Works:
     • Hall of the Bulls – A large-scale depiction of bulls, horses, and stags.
     • The Great Black Bull – A striking image showing dynamic movement and perspective.

2. Chauvet Cave Artists (France, c. 30,000 BCE)

   • Bio: One of the earliest known cave painting groups, their work features highly detailed representations of animals, using shading and perspective uncommon in early art.
   • Notable Works:
     • The Panel of Lions – A dynamic composition of lions in motion.
     • The Rhinoceroses – Overlapping drawings of rhinos, showing early artistic techniques.

3. Altamira Cave Artists (Spain, c. 15,000 BCE)

   • Bio: The first cave painters to be discovered in modern times (late 19th century). Their paintings include a mix of naturalistic and abstract forms.
   • Notable Works:
     • Bison Ceiling – Features vivid depictions of bison in red, black, and ochre.
     • Handprints and Geometric Symbols – Early signs of human symbolic thought.

4. Venus Figurine Sculptors (Various regions, c. 28,000–18,000 BCE)

   • Bio: Unidentified prehistoric sculptors who created small stone, ivory, and clay figurines emphasizing fertility and femininity.
   • Notable Works:
     • Venus of Willendorf (Austria) – A small limestone figure with exaggerated female features.
     • Venus of Hohle Fels (Germany) – One of the oldest known sculptures of a human figure.

5. Nazca Line Creators (Peru, c. 500 BCE – 500 CE)

   • Bio: Ancient civilization known for creating massive geoglyphs in the Peruvian desert, visible only from the air.
   • Notable Works:
     • The Hummingbird – A large, stylized bird drawing.
     • The Spider – A precise geometric depiction of a spider in the desert.