The training period of Henri Breuil and his first works: a new way to approach prehistory and palaeontology?

Abstract

When Henri Breuil (1877-1961) begins his paleontological works, the context is relatively favourable to the contribution of Catholics to prehistorical studies. Having been introduced to palaeontology by Guibert, at the Catholic Institute of Paris, Breuil was passionate about prehistory; as a young priest, he obtained to dedicate himself completely to this science. This article suggests analysing Henri Breuil’s first works on the cave art and underlining the link with his personality and the revival that he brought at this moment in the professionalization, the way of envisaging and of exercising the palaeontology. Furthermore, Breuil is symbolic of the professionalization and the specialization of some Christian intellectuals. By 1860, the palaeontologist priests were interested in everything in palaeontology, physical anthropology and prehistory, even in archaeology; between 1900 and 1910, Breuil eventually specialized in the cave art even if he is also interested in prehistoric tools and bones.