Final answer:
The claim that earliest paintings only featured human figures is false, as prehistoric art depicted a range of subjects including animals and abstract patterns. Venus figurines, such as the Venus of Hohle Fels, are early human representations in art. Human figures in early art were often schematic, while animals were depicted with more detail.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that only human figures were shown in the earliest paintings is false. Early prehistoric art includes a variety of subjects including human figures, animals, and abstract patterns. The representation of humans in art has evolved significantly over time, from schematic drawings to more detailed and naturalistic depictions.
For example, the oldest known representational imagery comes from the Aurignacian culture of the Upper Paleolithic period. Here, humans created impressive artistic depictions such as the Venus of Hohle Fels, a small figurine carved from mammoth ivory representing a human figure with exaggerated features, possibly symbolizing fertility or reproduction, dating back to about 40,000 years ago.
In contrast to the oft-sculpted human form in various periods, early paintings were not exclusively focused on human subjects. The human figures that were depicted had a schematic approach with less detail compared to the animal figures that were often represented in profile, showing more identifiable information. An example of the schematic nature of human representation can be seen in a small sculpture of a seated man with exaggerated elongated arms and linear form.
Throughout the evolution of art, humans have expressed themselves in various forms, including sculptures, paintings, and other decorative items, encapsulating a broad range of styles and cultural influences.