Jean Clottes

The discovery of pre-historic decorated caves in western Europe transformed the way we think about the development of art. The earliest known evidence of human artistic endeavor, the awe-inspiring paintings, dramatic engravings and small, delicate sculptures of animals and humans found in these caves still hold a unique power and fascination, more than a century after they were first discovered. In this book, internationally renowned expert on prehistoric art Jean Clottes explores the origins of art and creativity. He takes the reader on a guided tour of 85 caves and rock shelters, many of which are not open to the public, revealing the extraordinary beauty of the works of art within them. Cave Art features more than 300 works from the Paleolithic period, made between 35,000 and 11,000 years ago, presented in geographical and chronological order.This comprehensive, accessible introduction to prehistoric art includes such spectacular works as the famous horses of Lascaux, the buffalo in the Altamira cave in Spain and the ivory carving of a woman''s face found at Brassempouy in the south of France, as well as examples from less well-known sites. A wonderful range of animals is presented, from cave bears to reindeer, as well as mysterious abstract signs and schematic representations of human beings. Examples of portable art and sculpture are also included. While most of the caves described in the book are European, Cave Art also includes examples of open-air rock art made after the last ice age at sites around the world.

Ever since they were discovered over a hundred years ago, the paintings and rock engravings deep in the caves of Europe have captured the public imagination, provoking wonder and amazement at their great age, their technical mastery and their sheer beauty. Some of the oldest art known to man turns out to be highly accomplished, and also to have been made in extremely difficult conditions in absurdly inaccessible locations. These facts have presented a puzzle and a challenge that have never ceased to exercise the imagination of both scholars and the wider public. This interest is kept alive by the beauty, vivacity and realism of these mammoths, bison, horses and other animals, which have the same power and freshness to modern eyes that they must have had for their creators. Jean Clottes' book is the first one to provide a simple, accessible, orderly and easy to use pictorial introduction to this remarkable art.A concise introduction tells the story of the discovery of the caves, and gives a clear outline of current knowledge and research. It also discusses the modern debates about the meaning and purpose of the art, and sets these debates in the wider context of prehistory. The author also raises questions about this art in relation to modern sensibilities - why do we find it so compelling? The core of the book is a carefully selected and organized sequence of 300 images, presenting the finest examples of cave art, including not only the most famous caves such as Lascaux, Altamira, Pech-Merle and Niaux, but also dozens of others that have yielded remarkable finds. A wonderful range of animals is presented, as well as the mysterious abstract signs, and the puzzlingly crude and schematized representations of human beings. Some examples of portable art and sculpture are also included in order to make important comparisons and links.

Els infants i els joves sempre mostren molt d’interes per la prehistoria. És per aixo que el famós prehistoriador Jean Clottes (Esperáza, Llenguadoc, 1933), especialista en pintura rupestre, va deman

La pasión del prehistoriador se suma en la figura de Jean Clottes al placer de transmitir y compartir el saber de la manera más directa y sencilla posible. Este libro nos permite arrojar luz sobre una etapa de la humanidad que fascina a los jovenes y a los adultos por igual. Asi, desfilan por las preguntas y respuestas de este libro las distintas epocas de la Prehistoria, la evolucion de los seres humanos, las costumbres y la vida cotidiana de nuestros ancestros, la organizacion social de las tribus y el nacimiento de la espiritualidad y de la razon.

Para todo el mundo y en todas las épocas, los hombres han buscado entrar en contacto con el mundo de los espíritus por medio de los chamanes y de sus viajes durante el trance. Por este motivo, resulta legitimo tratar de decubrir estas practicas en el arte prehistorico de las cuevas. En 1996 Jean Clottes y David Lewis-Williams asumieron el riesgo de interpretar este arte bajo la optica del chamanismo.

Grandes temas difíciles de explicar a los hijos. La inmigración, la violencia y ahora, en esta misma colección, un tiempo remoto que regresa de forma didáctica y apasionante.

Un libro clásico y polémico cuya asociación entre magia y pintura rupestre ha influenciado y fascinado a la comunidad internacional, académicos o no.

Un delicioso paseo por los orígenes del ser humano. La pasión del prehistoriador se suma en la figura de Jean Clottes al placer de transmitir y compartir el saber de la manera más directa y sencilla posible. Este librito nos permite arrojar luz sobre una etapa de la humanidad que fascina a los jovenes y a los adultos por igual. Asi, desfilan por las preguntas y respuestas de este libro las distintas epocas de la Prehistoria, la evolucion de los seres humanos, las costumbres y la vida cotidiana de nuestros ancestros, la organizacion social de las tribus y el nacimiento de la espiritualidad y de la razon.