In the Paleolithic Vanitas series, I explore the vastness of time and the inevitability of death in contrast to the shortness of individual lives. I often reference Paleolithic cave art, especially imagery from Chauvet cave, to reflect on this temporal contrast. Paleolithic art is both impenetrably ancient and relentlessly current. Humanity today would not exist without the foundational contributions of the paleolithic people; in that sense, cave art constantly overshadows the current era in spite of its age. It prompts us to ask what our place is within the larger story of humanity.
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Chauvet Cave Horses and Horse Dissection
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Chauvet Cave Horses and Horse Dissection (detail)
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Chauvet Cave Horses and Horse Dissection (detail)
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Chauvet Cave Horses and Horse Dissection (detail)
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Chauvet Cave Horses and Horse Dissection (detail)
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Chauvet Cave Horses and Horse Dissection (detail)
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Sulawesi Pig and Domestic Pig
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Sulawesi Pig and Domestic Pig (detail)
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Sulawesi Pig and Domestic Pig (detail)
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The Silver Cord
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The Silver Cord (detail)
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The Silver Cord (detail)
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Wildebeest and Chauvet Cave Lions
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Wildebeest and Chauvet Cave Lions (detail)
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Wildebeest and Chauvet Cave Lions (detail)
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Vanitas With Chairs, Chauvet Cave Lions, and Abyss
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Vanitas With Chairs, Chauvet Cave Lions, and Abyss (detail)
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Vanitas With Chairs, Chauvet Cave Lions, and Abyss (detail)
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Vanitas With Dog
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Vanitas With Dog (detail)
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Vanitas With Dog (detail)
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Who can tell them what will happen under the sun after they are gone?
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Who can tell them what will happen under the sun after they are gone? (detail)
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Who can tell them what will happen under the sun after they are gone? (detail)
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Chauvet Cave Lions Exiting Uffizi
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Chauvet Cave Lions Exiting Uffizi (detail)
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Chauvet Cave Lions Exiting Uffizi (detail)
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Chauvet Cave Rhino on Balcony
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Chauvet Cave Rhino on Balcony (detail)
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Chauvet Cave Rhino on Balcony (detail)
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Chauvet Cave Lions Exiting Uffizi
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Chauvet Cave Lions Exiting Uffizi (detail)
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Chauvet Cave Lions Exiting Uffizi (detail)
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Chauvet Cave Rhinos Wandering Ground Floor
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Chauvet Cave Rhinos Wandering Ground Floor (detail)
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Chauvet Cave Rhinos Wandering Ground Floor (detail)
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Chauvet and Whistler's Bibi Lalouette
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Veterinarians at Chauvet Cave
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Veterinarians at Chauvet Cave (detail)
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Veterinarians at Chauvet Cave (detail)
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Veterinarians at Chauvet Cave (detail)
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Veterinarians at Chauvet Cave (detail)