The earliest Celtic art originated in the 5th century BC, in various centers from western France to Czech republic. It was temperate Europe’s first complex art and the Celts’ use of curved geometry remains unparalleled among the ancient cultures. La Tene metalsmiths designed complex vegetal patterns supported by underlying geometry. The new iconography and symbolism largely reflect the new religious beliefs, their expressions and new social relationships.
Early Celtic art was depicted as apparently abstract curves. Like previous prehistoric art, this shows different ways of seeing the world, where creatures and plants lurked within the shapes. It also portrays mythology and religion: fantastical creatures and the belief that these patterns could protect the object and its bearer, or affect whoever set their eyes upon it.
Celtic art also reveals regional and tribal variations and interpretations. Celts were people with individual style and technical skills, channeling those in their visage, personal items and weaponry. Archeology shows us a contrasting perspective from that of ancient Mediterranean civilizations, like Romans who considered Celts savages. While Roman art was classical and realistic, Celts at first flourished in the abstract depictions and fantastical ornaments.
Yet in the ancient Celtic art, we can often see mingling of temperate and Mediterranean Europe. That’s because artisans of La Tene culture drew inspirations from different things, including imported items and art from the Mediterranean civilizations, like Etruscans and Greeks.
These were catalysts of art and development of new styles, however Celts interpreted them according to their own aesthetic taste and preferences, leading to their unique art style. Coins are the most prominent example of this, with the Celts adapting the visage of classical gods, rulers and even more realistic depictions.
Celtic art was functional and it served a variety of ever-changing needs.
It has been categorized into multiple Styles or Stages, which spread across time and space.
One of the most widespread Celtic motifs was the human head or face. The heads of their main rivals were treated like trophies - embalmed, carefully handled and displayed to foreigners to see. To what extent Celtic art reflects such practices remains unknown.
Another prevalent motif is that of a boar, especially among warriors, who depicted boars on their weapons in the hope to be blessed with the animal’s symbolic power, courage and aggression. Many bronze statues have also been found at the archaeological sites.
While the ancient writings describe Celts’ ferociousness, boasting, bravery, and alcohol-consumption, their own art gives us a different picture - a more gentle nature of rich culture and art in line with their spiritual world, flora and fauna, and nature, which the Celts held in reverence. Their aesthetics of fascinating geometrical patterns and circolinear motifs, remains interesting even to the modern public.
Sources: docs.google.com/document/d/1m...
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