“The experts tend to fall into two camps: those who can’t resist advancing a theory about the art, and those who believe that there isn’t, and never will be, enough evidence to support one.”

Judith Thurman “First Impressions” Upper paleolithic c. 40,000 BP-12000 BP

(contra J. Thurman) Neanderthals became extinct c. 40,000BP

Evidence for interbreeding with humans exists (contra J. Thurman)

Neanderthal “Art” “Venus” of Willendorf Oolithic limestone c. 30,000-20,000 BP c. 30,000-20,000 BP

c. 11,000 BP c. 30,000-20,000 BP c. 11,000 BP c. 5,200 BP = 3,200BC What’s with the name?

“Venus pudenda” “Venus impudica” Abri de Laugerie-Basse, France 17, 000 to 12,000 BP “Venus impudica” “Venus pudenda” 17, 000 to 12,000 BP Greek and Roman sculpture type “Venus of Willendorf” “Venus impudica” Limestone Ivory 11 cm. c. 8 cm

“Venus pudenda” Marble Lifesize

What is it? Who made it and why? Did its makers consider it valuable? Should we?

Woman of Hohle Fels Mammoth Tusk 30-40,000 BP

“A mirror but no self reflection”

Is art a mirror? A mirror of what? Video c. 200 Upper paleolithic “Venus” figurines Czech Republic “Venus” of Dolní Věstonice 31,000- 27,000 BP Ceramic! “Venus” à la pèlerine Dressed in a cape? Vénus de Laussel (54 ₒ 36 cm) c. 23,000 BP Vénus de Laussel (54 ₒ 36 cm) c. 23,000 BP

PAU L BAH N

Video Lascaux Cave, France c. 20,000 BP “Aurochs”

Lascaux Cave, France c. 20,000 BP “Megaloceros”

Lascaux Cave, France c. 20,000 BP

How to approach upper paleolitihic art?

What kinds of questions do we want to ask?

What kinds of questions can we answer? Virtues and pitfalls of analogy Fernando Botero “Reclining Woman”

Lucian Freud “Fat Sue” San Rock Art, Africa Pablo Picasso’s bulls Hematite: Red

Pine charcoal: Black Who made them?

Hand print Chauvet Cave Again, a mirror of what?

Chauvet Cave Chauvet Cave Trois-Frères, France France, c. 13,000 BC Trois-Frères, France France, c. 13,000 BC “…the more you look, the less you understand.”