Douglas Mazonowicz

Douglas Mazonowicz was born in England, and began as a free-lance artist and teacher. Devoted himself to the study and preservation-by-reproduction of pre-historic art. Lived in Sonoma County, California, until his death in 2001, age 80.
The author's own and "accurate" [drawing of "engraved head of a lioness" at Les Combarelles, is actually equus hybrid; but the drawing is faithful) reproductions of prehistoric art are included. Collected petro-glyphs from France (Lascaux, Les Eyzies, and Spain, North Africa (Tassili Plateau, Sefar), and Utah, Colorado and Santa Barbara (Anasazi, Barrier Canyon). This work time-binds us to our ancestors. The penultimate chapter -- "Strange Comparisons" -- puts next to each other depictions from around the world. Inexplicable similarities. The effort to "draw" reproductions, rather than merely photograph, cave and canyon art pays off quickly to the viewer. The work of discernment (between the artifice and the natural slate) is already done by a man with a true hand for the art. While the book is one of the best for the art, and is a detailed narrative of many interesting conversations, this is not where to go for history or chemistry or the science side of the investigation.… (altro)