ART FIRST

ARTISTS OF PREHISTORY
WHEN DID THE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE THROUGH IMAGES ARISE?
WHAT IS THE FIRST PHYSICAL EVIDENCE FOR SYMBOLIC BEHAVIOR?
IS THIS ABILITY UNIQUE TO ANATOMICALLY MODERN HUMANS, THAT IS TO SAY, US?
OR ARE THERE PRECEDENTS IN OTHER MEMBERS OF THE HUMAN SPECIES?
SEE THE EXHIBITION
The development of creative and abstract thinking is one of the great milestones of human evolution. However, the ephemeral nature of the first forms of artistic expression reduces the possibilities of tracing their origins in time.
When did the ability to communicate through the images arise? What is the first physical evidence for symbolic behaviour? Is this ability unique to anatomically modern humans, that is to say, us? Or are there precedents in other members of the human species?
The exhibition «Art First. Artists of the prehistory» offers a journey into the past in search of the origins of art. In turn, the exhibition also explains Levantine rock art, one of the most original artistic expressions emerging more than 7,000 years ago, both in Catalonia and in the rest of the Mediterranean Iberian peninsular.
BEGIN THE VISIT

The origins
of art

SEE THE FIRST AREA

The wall of the hands of the cave of El Castillo (Puente Viesgo, Cantábria) shows some of the most ancient paintings of the world. Dated between 40,800 and 37,300 years ago it is very likely that they were the work of Neanderthals. Foto: Miguel A. de Arriba. Sociedad Regional de Educación, Cultura y Deporte, SL. Gobierno de Cantabria

Palaeolithic art the
art of animals

 

SEE THE SECOND AREA

Paleolithic cave painting, located in Altamira, Santillana del Mar (Cantabria) image of a bison, with bright colors due to the humidity of the space. Image courtesy of © Museo de Altamira. Photo: Pedro Saura

Levantine art
the art of people

SEE THE THIRD AREA

Cave paintings are an extremely fragile element exposed to atmospheric, geological and also anthropogenic factors, which can endanger them.

The art of documenting the art

SEE THE FOURTH AREA

Detail of the Scene known as phallic dance from the Roca dels Moros (Cogul) Oil painting on plaster and burlap support. Photography by Antoni Palomo (MAC. Arxiu Històric Fotogràfic, Fons Art Rupestre)

A world heritage site

SEE THE FIFTH AREA

Roca 3 de Penascosa, Foz Côa, Portugal (detail). Photo: Manuel Almeida/ Fundação Côa Parque.