Animals are a big part of life on earth and many of us love animals and enjoy learning about them and being in their presence. Animals have long been of interest to humans, and thousands of years before art like this modern animal sculpture https://www.gillparker.com was created, people all over the ancient world were making art based on the animals that were part of their lives.
Here are some examples of the relationship that ancient artists had with animals…
Egypt
There are many animals represented in ancient Egyptian art – most people are probably familiar with the form of Egyptian writing using symbols, known as hieroglyphics. The ancient Egyptians often used animals in art, and of course many of the animals that they used represented many of the gods that the worshipped. The jackal, the ibis and of course the cat we’re all highly revered by the ancient Egyptians and you can see many examples of this in the art of the ancient Egyptians.
Greece
The art of the ancient Greeks that is probably the most recognisable are the beautiful sculptures depicting the Greek gods and the heroes. But animals also feature in ancient Greek art. Many of the animals that are represented in Greek art will appear with humans, often helping to convey a message such as strength or wisdom. Animals often shown in Greek art include Lions, Bulls and Owls.
Rome
The Romans were very advanced, and their art was no exception. The mosaic is probably one of the most widely recognised forms of ancient Roman art, but paintings and pottery also were popular art forms in the Roman Empire. Animals in Roman art range from the majestic horses often found in sculptures and paintings of Great leaders, to mythological scenes showing animals as part of the stories of Roman mythology and religion. The Romans also used animals as a symbol in artwork, and the ram, the snake and the eagle were all often used to convey a message or an idea.
Mexico – The ancient Aztecs were reliant on the natural world and like many religions, their calendar and their worship revolved around the seasons of nature. Therefore, there are many animals used in places of worship and burial, showing both the domestic animals that were kept as well as the wild animals that the people shared their land with.
