Definition of Cave Painting

Traditionally regarded as the first form of art achieved by the human being, the painting Rupestrian is the one that was made in the prehistoric period on the walls of the caves. These paintings are known in this way since the term cave in Latin means rock, the surface on which they were represented. Throughout the entire planet, incredible and magical cave paintings have been found that have belonged to different populations and that have some characteristics in common.

Cave paintings have long been considered primitive forms of art. Today, the primitive term is no longer applied to them since they represented the type of mentality of the individuals who made them. For many specialists, it is wrong to try analyze cave paintings according to the parameters of western art.

It is believed that the cave paintings were made by the men of the Prehistory with a practical objective more than artistic. In this sense, prehistoric man had a magical mentality that led him to suppose that representing animals on the walls would ensure success in the activities of

hunting. These animals (such as buffalo, mammoth, deer, wild boar, and other wildlife) are often accompanied by human beings who appear equipped with the tools and weapons necessary for the hunting.

Is interpretation of the cave paintings has had to do with the discovery of copies in which individuals performing ceremonies were represented, as well as symbols of different types whose exact meaning has not been able to be recovered.

The cave paintings have mostly taken place inside caves since they were the spaces used by prehistoric men as dwellings. Generally, they were made with natural dyes obtained from plants or animal remains, with harpoons and other tools that served as brushes and pencils. Many of these incredible paintings remain to this day and much of them are considered heritage universal of the planet.

Themes in Cave Painting