Alison Dearborn (American, Contemporary). "Freedom's Chariot" acrylic paint on canvas, 2003. Signed on lower right and again with title on verso. A mesmerizing painting by Alison Dearborn whose works pay tribute to magnificent creatures of the animal kingdom in a manner inspired by prehistoric cave paintings. In "Freedom's Chariot" Dearborn presents the silhouettes of three horses in profile, facing an abstract symbol comprised of an orb surrounded by an arch. All is delineated in warm shades of gold, violet, vermilion, cranberry, and russet with lighting that suggests the glow of firelight, a bridge across time, or perhaps a transition between the seasons. Dearborn's technique involves painstakingly applying thin layers of translucent paint, and the resulting textures give the impression that the composition was painted on stone. A striking painting by Alison Dearborn capturing the magic of Paleolithic paintings that decorated the walls and ceilings of caves such as Lascaux and Altamira. Size: 36" W x 24" H (91.4 cm x 61 cm)

The meaning and purpose of cave art has posed a mystery for decades and is still up for debate. Since most surviving images depict animals, some scholars have linked these parietal paintings to the practice of hunting - serving as an attempt to control the animals early humans hunted via visual representations. However, others have challenged this interpretation, arguing that since the locations of these cave paintings were oftentimes difficult to access, far from the locations where early humans were thought to live, and only accessible by crawling through long circuitous passageways, it is possible that cave paintings were part of a religious ritual. This remote placement in concert with the immense scale and grandeur of cave paintings have led scholars to suggest that these sanctuaries were holy places reserved for spiritual practices. Interestingly, abstract symbols like the ones Dearborn includes in this work have been found throughout prehistoric caves as well as on the bone implements within the caves, and some experts believe these symbols may represent early forms of written language.

Provenance: private Boulder, Colorado, USA collection

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#175309

Overall superb. Signed on lower right and again with title on verso. Stunning painting that extends to the sides of the canvas. Fit with suspension wire on verso and ready to display.