The Not Quite History of Art: The Beginning

In this occasional series I explore the history of art from a slightly tongue in cheek point of view.

This first episode looks at the very beginnings of art from the starting point of most art history books on the subject. The earliest known examples of 'art' can be found in cave paintings located in France and Spain. Images thought to have been created by hunters exercising some kind of 'power' over their prey by committing their likeness to images drawn onto cave walls.

It's debatable as to whether these images can really be called art because no one really knows the intent by which they were created. Were they drawn simply for decoration or did they have a more 'functional' purpose?

Whatever the reason, 'The Not Quite History of Art' puts forward a new theory that links the very beginnings of art with modern day graffiti.

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