THE ART OF THE ICE AGE - EXPLORING THE DEEPER HISTORY OF ART
ICE AGE SCULPTURE: LA MADELEINE BISON
Bison Licking its Side
Late Magdalenian, about 14,000 years old
To shape an entire bison from the palmate section of a reindeer antler the sculptor has ingeniously shown the animal turning to lick its side. The head and neck are formed in low relief against the body. Their exquisite details bring the figure to life. The sculpture may have been part of a spear thrower.
La Madeleine cave.
Musée d’Archéologie Nationale, St Germain-en-Laye, Paris, France.