Unit 2:
Prehistoric to Medieval Art

How did it all start?
Art began over 27,000 years ago
As humans became smarter their imagination and ability to create art increased
Art from Prehistoric to Medieval times is not a progression from simple to complex. It is a time of many varied art forms from different cultures and time periods

Prehistoric Art:
25,000 to 2500 B.C.E
People live in caves
Survive by hunting and gathering
No organized government or religion
Gradually evolve into learning how to use tools to make things
Art is made for practical purposes to help with hunt or please natural forces

Prehistoric Art:
25,000 to 2500 B.C.E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNP6XRLbYWo
SCULPTURE: Bone, ivory and stone figurines
Made figures to please natural forces like wind, animals and storms
Ex: Venus of Willendorf,
Europe, 25,000 B.C.E.,
Stone

Prehistoric Art:
25,000 to 2500 B.C.E
ARCHITECTURE: massive, upright, stone structures
Later cave people had learned how to farm and had more time to build permanent structures
Ex: Stonehenge, England, 2000 B.C.E. Used as an astronomical calendar

Prehistoric Art:
25,000 to 2500 B.C.E
PAINTING: Cave paintings of animals thought to guarantee a successful hunt
Painted what they saw and images of everyday life
Painted on cave walls with fingers and brushes made of sticks
Used paint made of crushed rocks, berries and charcoal as outlines for the animals
Ex: Lascaux Cave Painting, France, 15,000
B.C.E.

15,000 B.C.E.
Cave of Lascaux, France,