Could the Cave-Dwelling Artists Have Had No Sense of Their Self-Worth or Were Just Plain Ignorant of Depicting Themselves as Subjects?

Often, when we look at cave art, we find ourselves engrossed in the gossipy discussions about the artists' intentions and self-worth. But let's step back and consider: what were they painting, exactly? Were they depicting their 19th-century egos, as some suggest, or was there a more profound cosmic consciousness at play? What if it wasn't a male artist, but a woman, revealing the reality of death and the mystery of the gods? Could the artists have been more deeply connected to the magic of the surface rather than their own reflections?

Understanding the Artists' Intentions: Beyond Ego and Modern Terms

Think of this as though you, too, were a painter. As a sophisticated 21st-century artist, what would you choose to paint? Would it be something as simple and relevant to your daily life as your toenails? The cave-dwelling artists were no different. They depicted things they wanted to eat and made semi-abstract sculptures of human figures, often fat women with enormous knockers, and one fascinating figure of a man with a lion’s head.

Self-Worth and the Communion of Nature and Spirit

During the era of these cave artists 25,000 to 50,000 years ago, humans possessed a far greater sense of self than we do today. They knew their identity, knew what they needed to do to survive. Words like self-worth and modern terms for self-consciousness are foreign to them; their world was about survival, feeding, drinking, hunting, and keeping warm. We, in contrast, are often preoccupied with our identities and purposes, questioning things that may have been clear to them without question.

It is possible that the artists did not need to focus on their self-worth because they were driven by more immediate concerns. They depicted what was necessary, keeping it simple. Without mirrors, they had limited opportunities to gaze at themselves and, therefore, to consider their self-worth. Eastern cultures, for example, were not as concerned with perspective in drawing, understanding that images need not look realistic to convey meaningful symbols. This might explain why we can see more abstract and symbolic depictions in cave art.

Exploring the Mystery of the Gods and the Realm of the Mundane

Perhaps, the creation of these artworks served different purposes than what we might assume. In some depictions, there might be a mystery of the gods, a connection to a cosmic and magical consciousness, rather than a focus on the mundane. Were these artists capturing their experiences or their surroundings, or were they leaving messages for future generations, hidden treasures buried in the dark depths of caves?

The question if it was not a male artist painting these images, but a woman, opens up a new realm of possibilities. Would a woman have painted a different perspective? A perspective that perhaps delved deeper into the reality of death and the mystery of the gods, rather than the pursuit of seemingly eternal egos? The answer to these questions remains a tantalizing mystery.

As we continue to study and marvel at the cave art of our ancient ancestors, we find ourselves not only in awe of their techniques but also in deep reflection on our own human nature. The answers to these questions may never be fully known, but our curiosity and imagination allow us to explore the self-worth and purposes that drove the neolithic painters.