(Intro to Art History) Venus of Willendorf and Lascaux- Chapter 1

Approximately how long is the Venus of Willendorf?

11 centimeters

The Venus of Willendorf is considered an "artifact." What is the best working definition of the term "artifact"?

Something of beauty that has been achieved through human skills.

What is a simple way for archeologists to approximate the creation date of a Paleolithic object such as the Venus of Willendorf?

They can study the nearby area and depth at which the object was found.

How did the Venus of Willendorf get its name?

Its name was the result of archeologists assuming the figure was a goddess.

When we closely study the anatomy of the Venus of Willendorf, what theme most clearly emerges?

Fertility

The famous Lascaux cave paintings are located in what modern-day country?

France

What elemental materials were used by early humans to paint the caves at Lascaux?

charcoal and ochre

In addition to bulls, what animals are present in the Lascaux cave paintings?

deer, lions, horses, elk

Most of the painted bulls at Lascaux are depicted in profile (meaning from the side), with their heads and horns depicted from a front viewpoint. What is the term for this technique?

twisted perspective

Many scholars believe the paintings at Lascaux represent a spiritual ritual that early humans developed to gain power over animals. What is this theory called?

hunting magic