L'art primitif

Abstract

IN “L'art primitive” M. Luquet turns once more to the problem of the origin of art. Very briefly, his theory is that two forms of representative art are to be distinguished. First, there is the classical art of the adult, no longer to be regarded as the one and only form. Secondly, there is a form of art which is called ‘primitive’. Under this heading, on the ground of their common characteristics, he groups certain tendencies opposed to those of the adult classical art—the art of children, some adults (“meme des professionnels”), savages, and prehistoric man. Both in the individual and in the history of the human race, the urge to artistic representation arises in the same way—an accidental production or discovery of a resemblance to a real object. Hence comes a desire for the execution of a purposive reproduction, which in turn gives rise to the pleasure of creation. In this disinterested art lies the germ of magical art; but the pre-existence of the artistic product before its magical use is a necessary postulate. Further, while ‘classical art’ is static, primitive art is dynamic; by an intellectual realism it sees the whole story in time and space. Hence the representation of invisible parts, distorted perspective, and duplication.