In a limestone cave, forty thousand years ago, a hand mixed spit and fat with ground pigments and applied it to stone walls in the contour of a bison. Its body curving with muscle, motion, and form. In the firelight, others gather, recognizing the powerful animal. They feel its mass and movement and perhaps are puzzled that it seems real and yet …
Long before temples or writing existed, long before cities, human and animal bodies were already being made in pigment, stone, bone, and clay. Across continents, figures appear again and again: herds running across rock, hunters in motion, sensual nudes, even super heroes (Lion Man). No institutions, and no scripture made these makers. Yet figurative art preceded it all.
A little child with a crayon draws a circle and adds two marks for eyes. Another line becomes arms. The page fills with faces and bodies before the child can write a sentence or name a belief. Figures arrive as if by embedded code.
From cave walls to scraps of paper, figurative art persists: to see a body, to feel its presence, to make it visible. And the image of humans remains understandable to all, crossing language, tribe, time, and doctrine. Everyone can stand before figurative art and recognize themselves within it.
Michael Newberry 
Do artists tolerate reality? Which artists? Francis Bacon, who talked endlessly about “the brutality of fact”? Leonardo da Vinci, who dissected cadavers to learn about anatomy, and used engineering to design flying machines? Is the notion that artists live in fantasy worlds and are wishy-washy escapists who shy from the blinding light of reality?
I think with the good artists, the opposite is true. Even the Impressionists studied the most ephemeral and precise permutations of light on objects. Were Rembrandt’s late self-portraits to unrealistically flattering?
Do artist not grapple with the human condition? Well, I guess if you are creative, intelligent, and dabble in how reality is depicted, you are out of touch with reality and avoid it at all costs. OK.
Meanwhile back in reality, artists have historically — if one’s had an art history course — been among the most brave, curious, and exploratory about art.
“been among the most brave, curious, and exploratory about art.” ❤️
Did I say “about art”. I meant “about reality”. Freudian slip, I guess.