We are working with Penguin and The British Museum to give reading groups the chance to explore their local museums and tell us all about their favourite discoveries. Reading groups read A History of the World in 100 Objects and were treated to exclusive talks from curators.
We’re showcasing the best entries throughout December. Today we’re sharing a collection of paintings that were the first to depict pre-historic man.
The Mammoth Hunters
This fearsome scene was commissioned by Sir John Lubbock, the first Lord Avebury, and painted by the French artist Ernest Griset, who was well known for his artwork of animals. The painting is part of Lubbock Collection, which can be found at the Bromley Museum. The series consists of 19 watercolours depicting prehistoric life by the Victorian artist Ernest Griset. They include reconstructions of specific archaeological sites he studied, such as lake dwellings in Switzerland, and more general scenes of animal hunts and prehistoric wildlife.
The pictures were inspired by Darwin’s theories on evolution and were controversial because of the subject matter. It is thought that they were displayed in High Elms, Lord Avebury’s family home.
La Trobe University in Australia is carrying out a research project into the Griset paintings as they are probably the earliest attempted reconstruction of prehistoric life
Contributor: Alan Nash
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Read the blog posts from our other reading groups reading A History of the World in 100 Objects
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See the Mammouth Hunters at Bromley Museum
