Prehistoric Cave Artworks in Southern France and Beyond with Dr. Guillaume Durand
Regular price $36.50 Save $-36.50
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, including a 30 minute Q&A.
Guillaume is extremely well informed about the subject of French prehistoric paintings. He not just showed us the caves but also gave us detailed background about theories about possible meanings of the art. He outlined the history of archaeologist’s theories and how they changed over time. His enthusiasm and humor made the presentation even more engaging. More Guillaume and more ancient history please!
Very interesting and well presented. Guillaume was very well informed. Pictures were very good.
well done and organized...Just the facts...the interesting facts.
And great pictures
We plan to visit some of these sites in the next few weeks and this was an excellent introduction that looked at these caves from multiple scholarly angles. Dr. Durand is clearly an expert in his field and his enthusiasm really shines through. I look forward to hopefully enjoying a full 5 part course.