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, including a 30 minute Q&A.
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Another great seminar by Dr. Durand, in which he presents a lot of information about the subject (along with fantastic photos) with a sense of humor. Very enjoyable.
This was a solid introduction to the major early discoveries of stationary Paleolithic art. I want to point out one of Dr. Durand's best observations, one he made in a kind of "by the way" manner: I was particularly struck by his observation that a number of the cave paintings demonstrated an understanding of perspective-- the development of which is traditionally accredited to the Italian Renaissance. Having myself observed such a phenomenon in the Paleolithic art I have explored, I was delighted to hear the same from Dr. Durand. This is probably not a "new" observation, but it is one that I, as a naïve enthusiast rather than a scholar, had not heard. The Paleolithic "eye" was as keen as the modern--thrilling to those of us who want to unlock the past! The best Context scholars are those with whom I wish to have further and protracted discussion! Dr. Durand is one of these. Thank you for your work and creativity in presenting such a massive subject.
I signed up because other of Dr. Durand's seminar's were interesting and engaging. This was no exception. I had heard of the caves but did not understand their historical significance. Dr. Durand's explanation of what is know and conjectured about the caves was fascinating and acknowledged the evolving nature of scientific discovery.
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