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Prehistoric Cave Artworks in Southern France and Beyond with Dr. Guillaume Durand
Prehistoric Cave Artworks in Southern France and Beyond with Dr. Guillaume Durand

Prehistoric Cave Artworks in Southern France and Beyond with Dr. Guillaume Durand


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The art on the walls of prehistoric caves in the Southeast of France has just as much subtext and cultural significance to unravel as the art on the walls in the Louvre Museum. And historians through the ages have found those “rudimentary” works even more fascinating to read between the lines of. Who painted them? For what purposes was it created? What does this art tell us about this human species both so close and so far from us? 
Our interactive conversation will provide a unique opportunity to contextualize the multiple interpretations of these paintings and engravings – and link together the newly unearthed scholarship enshrouding these paintings’ creative origins. 
After a brief presentation of Paleolithic cave art, we will focus on some examples that challenge our schemas of understanding and show a greater complexity to human thought at that time. We will particularly focus on the paintings and engravings made in the caves in South France – Chauvet, Lascaux, Cosquer, Rouffignac, and les Trois-Frères.
We will conclude by taking a step back, geographically, to explore several painted caves in Africa and Southeast Asia. We will also question whether the creation of this art was achieved by homo sapiens or another early species. 
Led by Guillaume Durand, Ph.D., this conversation will provide an in-depth exploration of parietal art, mainly in Southeast France. Designed to inform curiosity and future travels, participants will come away with increased knowledge and understanding of what is considered the very first artistic testimony of mankind.

Passionate about the regions and countries at the crossroad of civilizations, Guillaume Durand Ph.D. has long standing expertise in Ancient art and archaeology of the Eastern Mediterranean Basin. Assistant dean and professor in archaeology and art history at the Institute for American Universities and the American College of the Mediterranean in Aix-en-Provence, France, Guillaume has traveled many times in Iran during these six past years in order to study the Persian Empires. He is also a tourist guide / lecturer in this country for French citizens.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes.

Customer Reviews

Based on 39 reviews
92%
(36)
8%
(3)
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(0)
0%
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K
Kristin Jeffries (Milwaukie, US)
Outstanding, Insightful Seminar on Cave Artworks

Highly recommend this Context seminar! Fascinating in-depth look at Prehistoric Cave Art, led by the expert Dr. Durand. Come for the up-close photos, stay for the history, the theories on why our ancestors made this art, and how recent discoveries changed everything. Great value! Be an armchair explorer!

J
Judith Gregory (Wilmington, US)
Cave art class

I really enjoyed and learned a lot from Dr. Durand's presentation on cave art in France and Spain. The class was extremely well organized and full of information concerning the current state of research on cave painting. I would love to learn even more about cave art including the material culture surrounding this art. Well done!

C
C.L.S. (Kennett Square, US)
Prehistoric Cave Artworks in Southern France and Beyond

We visited the caves last year so this was a terrific opportunity to revisit several of the sites. Dr. Durand was enthusiastic and well-informed. He obviously loves his subject. Occasionally, it was a little difficult to catch what he was saying because he would speak softly or away from the microphone. The slides were very well done!

J
Jill DeMarco (Sammamish, US)
A wonderful trip through time!

This was a very interesting, enlightening, and exciting lecture. Wonderful pictures, too. Dr. Durand is truly an expert in this field, and provided the audience with the latest data on cave paintings with exactness and humor as well. I think his lecture inspired many in of us to actually visit the cave sites and learn more! Thank you for 90 minutes very well spent!

J
Jean (Broken Arrow, US)
Fascinating Afternoon

Dr. Durand was engaging and enthusiastic about his subject matter. I feel fortunate to have spent time with him.

Customer Reviews

Based on 39 reviews
92%
(36)
8%
(3)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
K
Kristin Jeffries (Milwaukie, US)
Outstanding, Insightful Seminar on Cave Artworks

Highly recommend this Context seminar! Fascinating in-depth look at Prehistoric Cave Art, led by the expert Dr. Durand. Come for the up-close photos, stay for the history, the theories on why our ancestors made this art, and how recent discoveries changed everything. Great value! Be an armchair explorer!

J
Judith Gregory (Wilmington, US)
Cave art class

I really enjoyed and learned a lot from Dr. Durand's presentation on cave art in France and Spain. The class was extremely well organized and full of information concerning the current state of research on cave painting. I would love to learn even more about cave art including the material culture surrounding this art. Well done!

C
C.L.S. (Kennett Square, US)
Prehistoric Cave Artworks in Southern France and Beyond

We visited the caves last year so this was a terrific opportunity to revisit several of the sites. Dr. Durand was enthusiastic and well-informed. He obviously loves his subject. Occasionally, it was a little difficult to catch what he was saying because he would speak softly or away from the microphone. The slides were very well done!

J
Jill DeMarco (Sammamish, US)
A wonderful trip through time!

This was a very interesting, enlightening, and exciting lecture. Wonderful pictures, too. Dr. Durand is truly an expert in this field, and provided the audience with the latest data on cave paintings with exactness and humor as well. I think his lecture inspired many in of us to actually visit the cave sites and learn more! Thank you for 90 minutes very well spent!

J
Jean (Broken Arrow, US)
Fascinating Afternoon

Dr. Durand was engaging and enthusiastic about his subject matter. I feel fortunate to have spent time with him.