Smithsonian Artist Brings Faces from Past to Life

The Hall of Human Origins at the Smithsonian's American Museum of Natural History in Washington is a magnet for tourists.

Five life-size bronze dioramas weave a tale of everyday life stretching back more than 6 million years. Visitors feel the burden of a homo erectus 1.5 million years ago as she carries a freshly killed antelope, and the fear of a wild-haired homo floresiensis, surprised by a predator 18,000 years ago. Children climb on, under and around these extinct ancestors in this ancient playground.

It’s the work of paleo-artist John Gurche. So are reproductions of hominid heads displayed in glass cases. Gurche —who specializes in depicting subjects linked to our prehistoric ancestors— comes armed with knowledge of ape and human anatomy. [...] voanews.com

Related post