Before the spread of Christianity, Islam and Judies, various forms of Paganism was the religion of man. Painters throughout Western art history have created pagan inspired imagery.  The word, "pagan",  comes from the Latin word, pagans, which means  "a country dweller". Paganism dates back to Paleolithic times.

According to art historian Walter Pater, "This pagan sentiment measures the sadness with which the human mind is filled, whenever its thoughts wander far from what is here, and now. It is beset by notions of irresistible natural powers, for the most part ranged against man, but the secret also of his fortune, making the earth golden and the grape fiery for him. He makes gods in his own image, gods smiling and flower- crowned, or bleeding by some sad fatality, to console him by their wounds, never closed from generation to generation. "

In the 21st century modern-day pagans, neo-pagans, honor the Mother Earth, mammals, fish, insects and the natural environment,. Most believe in many gods and goddesses.