Petroglyph 1935 - 1942

Lala Eve Rivol created this petroglyph on paper to replicate ancient rock carvings. Here, the radiant sun, a universal symbol of life and energy, dominates the composition. Note how its rays extend outwards, a gesture reminiscent of ancient Egyptian sun disks, representing divine power and cosmic order. But here, they are surrounded by other images such as animals and human-like figures, indicating the importance of the natural world. Consider also the repeated motifs of human figures: their stances, with arms raised or joined, echo the 'orant' figures found in early Christian art, embodying prayer and supplication. What does it mean for them to be placed together? The symbols speak to our collective memory, echoing a primitive urge to record, communicate, and connect with the cosmos, and the emotional weight of these connections, etched in stone and now on paper, continues to resonate. This art is a testament to the cyclical nature of human expression, where ancient forms resurface, carrying echoes of past beliefs into the present.