In the late nineteenth century, the first discoveries of prehistoric painting were greeted with incredulity. How could there have been such deft and skillful artists in the world over 30,000 years ago? Noted art historian Nigel Spivey begins with this puzzle to explore the record of humanitys artistic endeavors and their impact on our own development. Embarking with the motto, Everyone is an artist, Spivey takes us on a quest to find out when and how we humans began to explore the deepest questions of life, using visual artforms. With the help of vivid color illustrations of some of the worlds most moving and enduring works of art, Spivey shows how that art has been used as a means of mass persuasion, essential to the creation of hierarchical societies, and finally, the extent to which art has served as a mode of terror management in the face of our inevitable death. Packed with new insights into ancient wonders and fascinating stories from all around the globe, How Art Made the World is a compelling account of how humans made art and how art makes us human.
- ISBN10 0465081827
- ISBN13 9780465081820
- Publish Date 27 November 2006 (first published 28 April 2005)
- Publish Status Out of Stock
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Basic Books
- Format Paperback
- Pages 288
- Language English