Alexandra Linares
Art History (Ancient/Medieval)
Professor Sarah Matsuda
15 June 2014
Chapter 1 & 2 Essays
1. Why might prehistoric humans have painted on cave walls? Many people would like to think that people create art for the sheer love of beauty. However, art historians believe that the effort needed to create these cave paintings (such as the “Hall of Bulls” seen in Lascaux) required more motivation. Experts now have several ideas as to why these paleolithic beings created such masterpieces. During the early twentieth century it was believed that the cave paintings were meant to serve as a social function in society. It was proposed that the paintings could be from various rituals or “services” such as rites to strengthen clan bonds and for ceremonies to enhance the fertility of animals used for food.These paintings are also thought to be expressions of “sympathetic magic” to help with the clan’s hunt. Some even think these paintings were created during shaman practices and rituals.
2. Why was the Woman from Willendorf represented as full figured? The artist who created the Woman from Willendorf sculpture is thought to have been trying to express health and fertility. These were important characteristics for women at the time to have because it was a sign that they were able to produce strong children, which would ensure the survival of the clan. Full figured women were more desirable, and wider hips served as a sign of fertility.
3. What most fascinates you about any of the artworks or sites in this chapter and why? The female figures depicted in early sculptures was most surprising to me. As a female in the twenty first century, I am used to seeing mostly tall, slender female figures in contemporary art. Discovering that so many depictions of women in the past were fuller figured women was surprising and comforting. This also sparked a big question in my mind that I hope to answer throughout this course, what happened to make this change? why are fuller figured women no longer whats desirable in popular/mainstream art and society?
