Chauvet Cave - The cave paintings and rock art of Chauvet

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Chauvet Cave

The cave paintings and rock art of Chauvet

The Chauvet Cave is located near the Vallon-Pont-d'Arc in the Ardèche region of southern France. The Cave Paintings of Chauvet date to 30,000 to 32,000 years ago. In the Chauvet Cave hundreds of animal paintings have been found making Chauvet Cave one of the world's most important rock art sites.

Chauvet Cave Through the Mind of a Sculptor

Visit to the Chauvet Cave in 2001 by John Robinson

Nefertari’s Tomb and the Sistine Chapel

I have been lucky enough to visit other incredible wonders, such as Nefertari’s Tomb and the Sistine Chapel. In my opinion these two Sanctuaries contain paintings of the highest attainment that has ever been achieved. For me they have now been joined by the paintings of Chauvet. I think such places are not just the homes of great Art, they house the very Spirit of Art.


	After Life Dedicated to Future Paradises that can only be reached after death, Queen Nefertari’s Tomb was sealed after her sarcophagus was placed inside some 4000 years ago and the wonderful wall paintings were not meant to be seen by anyone accept the Gods. The Sistine Chapel is also centred on death and the After Life. The reredos depicts the Last Judgement of the Souls of the dead, of those who would attain Heaven or suffer everlasting damnation. The animal spirit world How do I fit Chauvet into these thoughts? Undoubtedly the cave is another place of worship, where the highest artistic talent has been used to depict animals. I think the art shows that man believed he could communicate with the animal spirit world. My question is, “Did he also think he could visit it?” Stepping stone I wondered if Chauvet was a cultural stepping-stone? Had the Bear Clan people yet arrived at the idea of their “possessing souls”, which could survived death and then join the animal Spirit World? Or were they only concerned with their own Fertility and the Hunting of animals?