Lascax Cave Paintings

Early cultures gave art a purpose that has stuck with it throughout history; a way to show some type of religious expression. Cultures could use art to document their ritual, or pay respect to their gods or deities and have been doing this since the Paleolithic era of hunting and gathering.
For example, when art historians look at the cave paintings in the Lascaux Cave in France, some believe what they are seeing is a religious ritual where the hunters are asking the gods or deities for a successful hunt. They base this conclusion by comparing the size and detail of the animals vs. the smaller size and lack of detail in the people. When you look at the cave painting this does make sense. Here you have sticklike small men shooting arrows into
Some art historians believe this figurine, along with other small female figurines from this time period, were fertility pieces. Historians say that the pieces were small so they could be easily transported since cultures weren’t settled at this time. They also believe that the pieces were ritualistic; women gave these to women to ensure successful childbearing.
Even if we jump forward a few thousand years we still can see where art was used religiously. Looking at the Egyptians, practically everything they did and created was to associate themselves with or honor the God(s). The Palette of Narmer has a hawk above Narmer, the hawk a symbol of the god Horus. In fact, the palette wasn’t even made for actual use, it was made to be placed in the tomb of the king as a gift to the gods so the king would have a pallet through eternity.
I think as we move through history we will find that religion loves to use art to express itself, but it doesn’t always use it for good reasons. There are many instances where art is used by the church in negative ways towards the civilizations. And as sick as it may sound, I absolutely LOVE