What Example of Paleolithic Art Is in the National History Museum in Vienna?

Art|Art Museum

The National History Museum in Vienna is home to an impressive array of Paleolithic art. Paleolithic art dates back to the period between 40,000 and 10,000 BCE, and the museum houses a number of artifacts from this era. These include sculptures, carvings, and paintings that were created by early humans during this period.

One of the most notable examples of Paleolithic art in the National History Museum is the Venus of Willendorf. This small limestone sculpture was discovered in 1908 near Willendorf, Austria and is believed to have been created around 25,000 BCE. The sculpture depicts a female form and is widely considered to be one of the earliest representations of a human figure ever created.

Another significant example of Paleolithic art housed in the museum is a fragmentary ivory carving known as The Lion Man. This intricate carving was discovered in 1939 in Germany and has been dated to around 32,000 BCE. It depicts a human-like figure with the head of a lion and has been described as one of the earliest examples of representational art ever found.

The National History Museum also contains several other examples of Paleolithic art from around Europe. Examples include carved stone tools from France dating back to 15,000 BCE, cave paintings from Spain dating back to 20,000 BCE, and numerous sculptures from Germany dating back as far as 35,000 BCE. Each piece provides insight into how our ancestors lived during this period and serves as an important reminder that humans have been creating art for thousands of years.

Conclusion:

The National History Museum in Vienna houses many remarkable examples of Paleolithic Art spanning 40 000 – 10 000 BC including Venus of Willendorf; a limestone sculpture depicting a female figure believed to have been created around 25 000 BC; The Lion Man; an ivory carving with the head of a lion dated at 32 000 BC; carved stone tools from France 15 000 BC; cave paintings from Spain 20 000 BC; and numerous sculptures from Germany 35 000 BC.