Discovering/Uncovering the Modernity of Prehistory

The research field of prehistory and modernity is very topical in both French as
well as German art history, though the traditions differ. In view of this historical
situation, the conference¿s goal (DFK Paris, 2017) was to raise awareness and
initiate a dialog, which opened up new perspectives for all participants and
generated innovative research. Prehistory, or primeval times, leads back to
fundamental art historical questions: When did abstraction begin? What specific
qualities of prehistoric artefacts contributed to solutions to artistic problems of
the European avant-gardists like Picasso, Miró, Baumeister, Giacometti or Bataille?
What is characteristic of prehistoric art as compared to other arts premiers?
Work-related questions stood at the center of the discussions and revealed
interdisciplinary connections and opened debates intended to inspire further
research.