Cave art

This book offers a unique introduction to the earliest known expressions of human creativity. With an unparalleled selection of images, including spectacular works such as the horses of Lascaux and the bison of Altamira as well as key examples from less well-known sites, this comprehensive, accessible guide to prehistoric art explores the origins of human artistic endeavour. The discovery of prehistoric decorated caves in Europe transformed the way we think about the development of art, and 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 today.

In Cave Art, internationally renowned expert Jean Clottes takes the reader on a guided tour of 85 caves and rock shelters, mostly in western Europe, but also in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Australia, revealing the extraordinary beauty of the works of art found within them. Cave Art features around 250 works from the Palaeolithic period, made between 35,000 and 11,000 years ago, presented in geographical and chronological order. Each work is illustrated by a colour photograph and accompanied by a clear explanatory text. The book also includes a chronology, maps of the main sites, a glossary and a list of caves that can be visited.