These are very old works painted by hunters who never went to art schools. Yet the basic elements of lines, shapes, colours, textures, form, space are combined with such exquisite delicacy and power. The scale of these works are large in comparision to the size of the human person. Why did they draw? For recording? For instruction? For magic? For recreation? For commercial exchange? Purpose aside, these works have a quality that engage the viewers. One can't look at these works and walk away unchanged. These works have an energy that only intelligence, passion and a desire to communicate can evoke a response like a baby's to the mother's presence. Yes. That intimate. Here for some culled background info: "Altamira’s Paleolithic art is between 14,000 and 20,000 years old, and represents the first set of prehistoric cave paintings ever discovered. Several famous painters, including Pablo Picasso, are said to have been inspired by its charcoal and ochre images, which inc...
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