1. The Earliest Art: Old Stone Age Art The Venus of Willendorf feminine, statuettes dating to the Upper Paleolithic Period (45,000-10,000 years ago) Venus the collective term used to identify all obese Paleolithic statuettes of women. Venus, was the Classical goddess of sexual love and beauty. Things of note: Enlarged sexual characteristics She has no facial characteristics She is obese c. 24,000- 22,000 BCE Oolithic limestone 4 3/8 inches high

2. More Venus..es? LEFT: Venus of Dolni Vestonice, 29, 000 BCE clay Right: Venus of Hohle Fels the oldest Venus, mammoth tusk Why should we study this art? What do you think it says about humanity that art was being created so long ago?

3. Old Stone Age Art: Cave Painting Caves at Lascaux In what is now Southern France Estimated to be 17,300 years old The cave contains nearly 2,000 figures, three main categories: animals, human figures, and abstract signs. Done deep in cave away from living areas Believed to relate to the dependence on animals for food/ hunting Hunting with clubs spears, very dangerous Found by 2 boys playing with their dog in 1940’s

4. Lascaux virtual tour http://www.lascaux.culture.fr/?lng=en