Drawing by
Firelight (30,000
B.C.)
Cave drawings have been found dating
back to 30,000BC. This was man's first
written attempt at the art of storytelling
with pictures. Many of the paintings are
located in the ceilings and walls deep
within the caves meaning they could
only be viewed with firelight. Most of
these caves have been found in France
and Spain.
Animals were most commonly drawn in
the pictures. Early artist also painted
people into the pictures. Some paintings
show animals with arrows or spears
protruding from their bodies. Some of
the people in the paintings are shown
wearing what appear to be magic
costumes. The belief is that man drew
these likenesses to gain special powers
through ceremonial rites. These special
powers could have been any of the
following: communicating with the gods, enabling him to become a better hunter, or give him the
courage and strength of the animals that he hunted.
The early artist had four basic colors to use in drawings. They used black from charcoal, white
from limestone, and red and yellow from a type of clay called ocher. The colors were mixed with
animal fats to produce a pastelike paint. The paint could either then be rubbed onto the rock
walls or blown onto through a hollow bone.
The quality of the artwork also has led the belief that the cave painter specialized in painting
alone. The painter was not required to hunt or farm with the others. This would have made the
painter a valuable member of any tribe. --Jon Wherley