Lascaux

In 2009 I visited the Lascaux Caves in France, famous for their 20,000 year-old cave paintings, depicting bison, deer and ibex. They are known the world over as one of the wonders of art history, and were discovered by a group of boys as late as 1940 during WWll. 

It is said that when they were seen for the first time the colours were as fresh as if the paintings had been done the day before.  Nowadays the visitor has to be content with seeing a section of the caves showing copies of the original drawings. Nevertheless, one is overwhelmed and thrilled by these wonderful drawings – amazing traces of our forefathers, who communicate directly with us through art.  They speak to us, move us and make sense.

All people wish to leave behind a trace or an imprint – even 20,000 years ago – and one can see so clearly that behind each small imprint and each individual cave painting there is a deep-felt wish to communicate, perhaps even an instinct which drives mankind to leave behind his indelible mark on the world.

To experience the caves and their paintings expands one’s consciousness, and the humanity of the artists brings home to the observer the universality of art on several levels: psychological, philosophical, linguistic and artistic.

Their imprint leaves the observer with a feeling of a direct link 20,000 years back in time, and a fellowship with the people who made these paintings, which have become statements and messages to the world through the ages, communicating with us at all times. Sharing the same air.