The Signature of Man

“That is the simplest lesson to learn in the cavern of the coloured pictures; only it is too simple to be learnt. It is the simple truth that man does differ from the brutes in kind and not in degree; and the proof of it is here; that it sounds like a truism to say that the most primitive man drew a picture of a monkey and that it sounds like a joke to say that the most intelligent monkey drew a picture of a man. Something of division and disproportion has appeared; and it is unique. Art is the signature of man.”

~ G. K. Chesterton, The Everlasting Man (1925)

 

 

Image Credits:

Featured: A Paleolithic Painting in a Cave at Lascaux, Southwestern France, 17,300 Years Before the Present by User “Prof saxx”, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Below: Cave of the Hands, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina by User “Mariano”, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

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Published by Tulika Bahadur

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India-born, London-educated, business base in Sydney, global network. Always happy to travel. Say hello if you are a reader! Send all commercial enquiries regarding introduction to the art world, content creation, curatorship, educational/speaking engagements, art/artist/cultural involvement for your business/organisation, art buying/commissioning, building a collection, brand collaborations with artists, entrepreneurship in art and culture, using art and beauty for well-being, and cultural experiences, events and tours to tulika@onartandaesthetics.com (DON'T FORGET TO CC: tulikabahadur@gmail.com). Please introduce yourself before forwarding press releases and newsletters. I will especially remember you! IG: @tulikabahadur (personal), @connoisseurscircle (social club) & @theologyaestheticsart (Christian page).

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