The Paleolithic period’s art can be divided into cave art and carved figure art. There were some similarities between cave art and figure art held by people during the Paleolithic age. Cave art and figure art, for example, were created by nomadic hunters and gatherers throughout the Paleolithic epoch. Paleolithic people documented their civilization by painting caves and carving figures. Furthermore, they transported their paints and caverns whenever they relocated from one location to another (Knappett, 2020). Thus, the artworks were created when humans first developed the ability to change objects.
However, there were distinctions between cave art and carved figure art. In cave art some creatures, including horses, mammoths, owls, and rhinoceroses, were painted in cave art around 15,000 years ago. These animals were painted to indicate that they were not part of the Paleolithic diet. Furthermore, some paintings were created during the unique period known as the magical period. The painting was created to improve hunting expeditions’ outcomes, express a love of beauty, and commemorate religious allegiance. According to archaeologists, in their findings, they discovered many stones that people of the past used to curve their drawings. Furthermore, people in ancient times used ochre color to decorate their animals. The colored pigments used in the artwork include a range of ochres combined with black manganese dioxide and charcoal (Knappett, 2020). As a result, the ancient man recognized the significance of doing decorations
The curving figure art was distinct from cave art. For example, the woman of Willendorf, discovered outside the hamlet of Willendorf in 1908, is one of the most famous Paleolithic figures (Knappett, 2020). The Willendorf woman was sculpted from oolitic limestone. The limestone is unique because it was not found within Willendorf (Knappett, 2020). As a result, the notion was made that nomad carried the stone while they moved.
Unlike in curve art, where nomads employed ochre colors, the woman of Willendorf was painted red. However, the woman of Willendorf has lost much of her color over the years. Some red paint is seen in the navel and the deeper carved parts. Furthermore, the woman of Willendorf was employed as a medium of exchange between Paleolithic age ancient cultures. Willendorf’s figure had a female physical characteristic that made her a fertility goddess (Knappett, 2020). As a result, belief in the presence of a supernatural being who created human life.
In conclusion, artwork availability provides unequivocal evidence that ancient people followed their religion and studied their culture. For example, the cave art suggested that old people had a special place of worship. In addition, the woman of Willendorf was regarded as a female deity. Nonetheless, the artwork is divided into cave painting and curving figure art. There are parallels between the two pieces of art. For example, both artworks were created by nomads, hunters, and gatherers during the Paleolithic period, when there was frequent movement from one location to another. As a result, they carried their paints and curves with them everywhere they went. Moreover, art and craft were used as means of livelihood and culture development that was transferred from one generation to another. However, there are distinctions between the two works of art. The ochre paints were employed in the cave artwork, whereas the red paint was used in the curve. The curving shape was made of limestone, while the cave paints depicted various animals such as horses, owls, and mammoths.
Reference
Knappett, C. (2020). Aegean Bronze Age art: Meaning in the making. Cambridge University Press.