How Art Made The World Season 1 Episode 2 The Day Pictures Were Born

The Day Pictures Were Born is an episode from season 1 of How Art Made The World. This episode focuses on the oldest known example of representational art - the cave paintings in Lascaux, France. The episode explores how these paintings were more than just pretty pictures, and how they were part of a wider world of belief and culture.

The episode begins by highlighting the importance of Lascaux. The cave paintings are 17,300 years old, and were created during the Paleolithic era when modern humans first appeared. They are the oldest known example of representational art, and their preservation has allowed us to understand how early humans expressed themselves through art.

The episode then delves into the scientific research and theories surrounding the creation of the paintings. Using modern techniques like x-ray analysis, scientists have been able to study the drawings and determine how they were created. They have found evidence that early humans were using complex techniques, such as layering colors to create shadows and highlights, which shows that representational art was important to them.

The episode then shifts focus to explore the cultural significance of the paintings. It examines how early humans used art as a way to communicate with their gods, and as a way to understand and control the natural world. The paintings in Lascaux were not just pretty pictures - they were part of a belief system that shaped the way early humans viewed the world.

The episode also explores how the paintings reveal the social structures of the Paleolithic world. The images of animals in the cave are not just random depictions - they are specific species that were important to early humans, such as bison and horses. These animals were often the source of food, clothing, and tools, and therefore represented a crucial aspect of early human survival. The fact that these animals were depicted with such skill and complexity shows that some members of the Paleolithic world had more specialized roles within their society.

The episode concludes by discussing how the cave paintings at Lascaux represent the birth of representational art. The paintings were not just an important cultural artifact - they were a turning point in the way humans created and viewed art. By being able to represent the world around them, early humans were able to create a visual language that would eventually lead to the development of writing and other forms of communication. The paintings at Lascaux were not just pretty pictures - they were the beginning of a new way of expressing ourselves through art.

Overall, The Day Pictures Were Born is a fascinating episode that explores the importance of the cave paintings at Lascaux. It highlights how these paintings were more than just visual representations - they were part of a wider world of belief and culture. The episode also showcases how the paintings offer a unique insight into the social structures of the Paleolithic world. Finally, the episode ends by explaining how the cave paintings at Lascaux were the beginning of representational art, which would eventually lead to the development of writing and other forms of communication.