Great Hall of Bulls Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the Great Hall of Bulls?

Left wall of the Hall of Bulls, Lascaux II (replica of the original cave, which is closed to the public). Original cave: c. 16,000-14,000 B.C.E., 11 feet 6 inches long.

How were the animals rendered in the Great Hall of Bulls?

In twisted perspective, with their bodies depicted in profile and horns seen from a frontal viewpoint.

What does the large scale of many animal images suggest about the artists?

They worked deliberately, carefully plotting out a form before completing outlines and adding color.

What might be the significance of the repetitive drawing and re-drawing in the 'rooms' of the Great Hall?

It held serious (perhaps ritual) significance for the makers. Signup and view all the answers

What theory did Breuil propose about the purpose of the images in the cave?

They played a role in hunting magic, believing that creating images during rituals could ensure a successful hunt. Signup and view all the answers

What narrative elements can be observed in the images of Lascaux?

One particular image shows a bison with internal organs spilling from a wound, suggesting a narrative of injury and interaction. Signup and view all the answers

What is the mystery surrounding the bird-headed figure in the artwork?

It is unclear why the person has a bird's head, suggesting they may be a shaman with abilities to communicate with spirits. Signup and view all the answers

What is one certainty about the artwork of Lascaux?

The very human need to communicate in the form of pictures. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Great Hall of Bulls Overview

Located in Lascaux II, a replica cave, the Great Hall of Bulls originally dates back to approximately 16,000-14,000 B.C.E.
The hall itself measures 11 feet 6 inches in length.

Artistic Techniques

Animals are depicted using "twisted perspective," showcasing their bodies in profile while presenting horns from a frontal view.
Some images are drawn entirely as contour lines to define the animals.

Artistic Process

Large-scale animal images suggest deliberate planning by artists, who likely sketched outlines before adding color.
It is believed that skilled "master" artists collaborated with assistants to mix pigments and provide lighting with animal fat lamps.

Engraved Forms

In areas dominated by engravings and overlapping designs, the drawing process may have held significant ritualistic meaning for the creators.

Purpose of Imagery

André Breuil theorized that the images were part of "hunting magic" rituals intended to ensure successful hunts by symbolically overpowering prey.
Another theory posits that these images serve as narratives; specific depictions tell stories, such as the dynamic illustration of a bison with a bird-headed humanoid figure.

Narrative Interpretations

The bison image conveys a sense of action, suggesting it has been wounded, possibly by a weapon or the horn of a nearby rhinoceros.
Adjacent elements, including a bird-headed human and an arrow with barbs, contribute to an interactive scene among the figures.

Mystical Elements

The depiction of a humanoid figure with a bird head raises questions about its significance, with hypotheses suggesting it represents a shaman or spiritual communicator.

Legacy of Lascaux

The Great Hall of Bulls exemplifies the enduring human desire to express and communicate through visual storytelling, highlighting the complexities of prehistoric artistic endeavors.

Description

Explore the captivating details of the Great Hall of Bulls through these flashcards. Learn about the artistic techniques used in one of the most famous prehistoric cave paintings, as well as the historical context of its creation. Perfect for art history enthusiasts or students studying prehistoric art.