The History of Stone Art art series by Anatoly Vanetik comes to a close with the third installment, this one focusing on the sculptures of our cave friends from way back when.

1. Anatoly's Art History
Anatoly "Tony" Vanetik
THE STONE
AGE PART
III

2. The Stone Age
Background
Anatoly "Tony" Vanetik
The years (and years, and years and years) that Prehistoric art
covers, as well as the categories, subcategories and sub­
subcategories that fall under the umbrella are virtually limitless and
could be written about ad infinitum.

3. The Stone Age
Background
Anatoly "Tony" Vanetik
However, my time is not limitless, so instead of
dwelling on the prehistoric art that helped to set the
stage for that of today, I’ll instead be wrapping up the
period with this third and final post on Stone Age (or
prehistoric, essentially interchangeable names) art.

4. The Stone Age
sculpture

5. The Stone Age
sculpture
Anatoly "Tony" Vanetik
When we picture sculptures today, our minds likely wander to one of a
few distinct places. Perhaps you’re picturing the likes of the Thinker, the
statue of David, the Disc Thrower, or one of the countless sculptures
that adorn college campuses across the country. These are the
enduring works that draw countless eyes in museums and galleries
around the world. They’re coveted so highly for their beautiful intricacies,
their size and the symbolism embedded in each curve in the marble
they’re sculptured from. The earliest forms of sculpture we’re not made
from marble (of course) and were not as intricate or lifelike. In fact, some
question whether they’re even art.

6. The Stone Age
primitive sculpture
Anatoly "Tony" Vanetik
Some of the first works of art discovered from the Stone Age are the
incredibly primitive, relatively hominid­looking figures such as the Venus
of Tan­Tan and the Venus of Berekhat Ram. Both figures are very very
rough, relatively human shaped stone carvings, shaped by a sharp piece
of stone. Initially thought to be naturally occurring stones that were
simply coincidentally shaped the way they are, both figures support the
now confirmed via microscopic examinations theory that they were
indeed carved–perhaps by the same artist!

7. The Stone Age
Relief sculpture
Anatoly "Tony" Vanetik
Relief sculptures were created on the same or similar cave walls as the
oh­so­popular cave paintings of the Stone Age. Perhaps the most well­
known and important to modern art is the Tuc d’Audoubert Cave, where
over 300 pieces of prehistoric art were discovered, including cave
paintings, rock carvings and relief sculptures including a pair of bison
made of clay.

8. The Stone Age
venus figurines
Anatoly "Tony" Vanetik
Not to be confused with the above early carvings mentioned in the “Primitive
Sculptures” section, the Venus figurines were created much later by the cro­magnon
people, who proved to be more adept artists than their neanderthal predecessors.
The Venus figurines were very small figures that share some similarities with African
fertility statues. These statuettes were of women exclusively, and featured oversized
hips and breasts. Unlike fertility statues–the purpose of which is known and in the
name–the purpose behind the creation of the Venus figurines is still subject to
debate. Some historians believe that they were indeed fertility statues, while others
claim they are religious artifacts. Without a firm grasp on the role that females and
religion played in the Stone Age, no one is quite sure which of the two is correct.

9. The Stone Age
venus figurines
Anatoly "Tony" Vanetik
The Venus Figurines, Courtesy AncientOrigins.net

10. For More Art History
and Appreciation,
Visit:
TonyVanetik.net