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.”
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.
Recognize shared humanity in art.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- Museum visits
- education
- cultural heritage projects
- art therapy
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does recognizing shared humanity change your view of ancient art?
- What can we learn about ourselves from prehistoric creators?
Modern contexts differ, so direct comparison may oversimplify cultural specifics.