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Against Quote by Simon McBurney

“We feel closer to the drawings on the walls of Chauvet than the painting of, say, an Egyptian mural. These artists are not remote ancestors; they are brothers. They saw like us; they drew like us. We wear essentially the same clothes against the cold.” quote by Simon McBurney
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“We feel closer to the drawings on the walls of Chauvet than the painting of, say, an Egyptian mural. These artists are not remote ancestors; they are brothers. They saw like us; they drew like us. We wear essentially the same clothes against the cold.”

Simon McBurney

About This Quote

Source Speech: Talk on Prehistoric Art, Simon McBurney, 2015

The ancient artists of Chauvet and modern humans share fundamental experiences, making their art relatable across millennia.

In simple terms: Ancient and modern artists are alike.

Key Takeaway

Recognize shared humanity in art.

Themes

history art humanity connection

Mood

reflective inspired

Type

observational philosophical

When to use this quote

  • Museum visits
  • education
  • cultural heritage projects
  • art therapy

Key Concepts

Anthropology psychology visual culture

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does recognizing shared humanity change your view of ancient art?
  • What can we learn about ourselves from prehistoric creators?
A Different Perspective

Modern contexts differ, so direct comparison may oversimplify cultural specifics.

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