When most of us think about "Art" we think either of contemporary/modern art like Andy Warhol (left,
Elvis I & II (detail) 1964) and
Yayoi Kusama, or the work of Renaissance masters like Leonardo da Vinci (right,
Mona Lisa, c. 1503–06). In fact, the history of human artmaking stretches back
at least 10 times as long as what is conventionally considered History -- meaning activities for which there exists a written record -- to the great cave paintings of the Paleolithic era (below, Ceiling view, Altamira Cave, Spain c. 12,0000 BCE), and beyond.
This class begins in the mists of ancient prehistory, and traces the evolution of human visual culture through the development of civilizations like Sumeria and Ancient Egypt, the classical Greeks and Romans, up to the very beginnings of the European Renaissance, and covers some of the most surprising, exciting, and beautiful artworks created by humans.
