The Cave Painters
Probing the Mysteries of the World's First Artists
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group · Print & ebook · October 9, 2007
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- Who it’s for
- A vivid look at cave paintings, their makers, and the changing theories about what they meant.
- Themes
- Prehistoric cave art, Cro-Magnon creators, Interpretations of art's origins
- Genres
- Prehistoric Art History, Archaeology, Ancient & Classical Art History
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Start with this bookAbout this book
The Cave Painters is a vivid introduction to the spectacular cave paintings of France and Spain—the individuals who rediscovered them, theories about their origins, their splendor and mystery. Gregory Curtis makes us see the astonishing sophistication and power of the paintings and tells us what is known about their creators, the Cro-Magnon people of some 40,000 years ago.
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He takes us through various theories—that the art was part of fertility or hunting rituals, or used for religious purposes, or was clan mythology—examining the ways interpretations have changed over time. Rich in detail, personalities, and history, The Cave Painters is above all permeated with awe for those distant humans who developed—perhaps for the first time—both the ability for abstract thought and a profound and beautiful way to express it.
Seeing Ancient Art
A vivid look at cave paintings, their makers, and the changing theories about what they meant.
Come here for
- The mystery and splendor of France and Spain’s cave paintings
- A close look at how interpretations of ancient art change
Expect
- Rich detail, historical personalities, and a sense of awe
- Attention to the sophistication and expressive power of the paintings
Where it sits
| Prehistoric Art History | 97% |
|---|---|
| Archaeology | 53% |
| Ancient & Classical Art History | 46% |
Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.
Publisher categories
- Prehistoric Art History
- Ancient History
- Archaeology
- Authors
- Gregory Curtis
- Publisher
- Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
- Published
- October 9, 2007
- Format
- Print & ebook
- Theme
- Prehistoric cave art · Cro-Magnon creators · Interpretations of art's origins
- Reading lane
- Prehistoric Art History