Animals In Art

Animals have appeared in art throughout history. Ancient cave paintings illustrate various animals including dinosaurs and deer. Some ancient Egyptian symbols include animals as well as ancient pottery. This page includes information on how animals have influenced art and humans throughout history.
Animal style art, is characterized by its emphasis on animal and bird themes, and the term describes an approach to decoration which existed from China to Northern Europe in the early Iron Age, and the barbarian art of the Migrations Period. It is a zoomorphic style of decoration, and the Animal Style was used to decorate small objects by warrior-herdsmen, whose economy was based entirely on animals and plunder.