At the dawn of human existence, people did not have modern comfort, but even then their hearts were drawn to creativity. The first people with the germ of reason are the first artists of the earth.
Paleolithic Rock Paintings
The oldest rock paintings date back to the Paleolithic era. It was then that the first artists of the earth took up the colors. MHK started its long way to development. The heroes of the plots are people and wild animals, who were both a source of food and totem patrons of the clan.
The most famous monument of the Madeleine era is the Lascaux cave in France. Scientists have dated the drawings to the 18th millennium BC. its value is so great that the cave was turned into a real museum. In the open spaces of a vast hall, a whole herd of bulls, horses, bears and deer is spinning in a crazy dance along the walls. In scale, it is often compared to the Sistine Chapel. Even the vaults of the cave are decorated with ornaments resembling plants.
Despite the fact that the first artists of the earth created their masterpieces from memory, they conveyed the proportions of animals with extraordinary accuracy. Even then, the masters used perspective and chiaroscuro to give realism to images. In the arsen althe artist had several colors: black, yellow, red, which were made from minerals.
Mesolithic painting
In the Mesolithic era, human life has changed a lot. There were fewer and fewer cattle, and the life of the entire tribe largely depended on successful hunting. It is hunting that becomes the central plot depicted by the first artists of the earth. It was a kind of ritual. Many historians believe that people tried to attract good luck by depicting a successful cattle drive.
In the Mesolithic, the multicolored and voluminous forms disappear. Images become more graphic and formalized. The drawing is now made only in black or only in red. By the end of the period, more peaceful scenes appear - picking fruits, honey, dancing around the fire.
The most striking monument of this era is the grotto Zaraut-Kamar in Uzbekistan. Thanks to the art of the Mesolithic, we can learn more about the way of life and ideas of ancient people. For example, it was thanks to the drawings that the approximate time of the appearance of the onion was established.
Neolithic Art
The Neolithic era was marked by active melting of glaciers. Man again had to enter into a struggle with nature for better conditions for life. The first artists of the earth in the ancient civilization of northern Europe are increasingly moving into symbolism. The image of a person is becoming more and more schematic, sometimes with exaggerated primary sexual characteristics.
It is in the north of Europe that mostmonuments of this period. Images of marine animals appear - seals, whales, fish. Most likely, this is due to the fact that life in this region was more connected with the sea.
The first artists of the earth left behind a lot of petroglyphs - stones with a hollowed out pattern. Small traces of paint indicate that they were previously painted. The harsh humid climate left only the relief intact. We will never be able to see them in their original glory.
The role of the artist in ancient society
Now an artist is a person who seeks to realize himself through art. But was it possible at that distant time? People were so busy fighting for life that they would hardly have time to create with inspiration. Most likely, the drawing was also subordinated to the general goals of survival.
Be that as it may, the most ancient artists had a high talent. It is simply impossible to imagine that everyone could draw like that. Therefore, it is assumed that the creators of rock art were not only the first artists, but also the first shamans - priests. They performed special sacred functions. Drawing hunting - they lured good luck, harvesting - a bountiful harvest in the surrounding forest, dancing women - as a symbol of procreation and strong offspring.
The first artists of the earth are unusual people who became pioneers. It was they who transferred the inner idea of the world to the plane of stone. This was a big step in the development of everythinghumanity and its emotional sphere. Thanks to them, we are now enjoying the masterpieces of world art.
