SUMMARY Experimental study of the aesthetic preferences of images from Upper Palaeolithic figurative art.

Abstract

Aesthetic preferences function as mental frameworks in the choice of graphic representations. In this empirical study, we analysed aesthetic preferences towards prehistoric art in 92 images of Upper Palaeolithic figures: bison, horses and deer from the Franco-Cantabrian axis. All the images chosen are drawn or engraved in an upright and static manner, and most are in profile. A convenience sample of 116 people aged between 18 and 88 participated in the study. Participants responded to the images presented using a computer programme. Specifically, we explored the role played by sociodemographic variables (age and gender) and figure variables (type of animal, degree of naturalism and orientation of the figure) in aesthetic judgement using a binary code (like/dislike) and response time. Our results show that aesthetic preference was higher for representations of bison and deer, with a greater degree of naturalism and colour. Younger people showed a lower overall index for this type of art. No gender differences were observed. Response time was longer for figures with higher aesthetic preference, degree of naturalism and colour.