Aegean Art

Cycladic Culture

The Aegean Sea. (source)

- Settlements span neolithic and Bronze ages.

- A distinct culture emerges between 3200–2300 BCE.

- Most objects come from burial sites and are small, such as figurines.

Female Figure, c. 4500–4000 BCE, height approx. 8.5”, marble. (source)

Harp Player, c. 2800–2700 BCE, height 11.5”, marble. (source)

Minoan Culture- Spans c. 3500–1050 BCE

- Highly developed society, relying on agriculture and trade

- Four major urban centers on the island of Crete

- First excavated by Arthur Evans (1851-1941) in the early 20th century (below, source)

The Aegean Sea. (source)

Octopus flask, c. 1500 BCE, height 11”. (source)

Dolphin Fresco, Palace at Knossos, c. 1500 BCE. (source)

“Queen’s Megaron”, Palace at Knossos, c. 1500 BCE. (source)

Palace at Knossos, c. 1500 BCE. (source)

Ruins of the Palace at Knossos, c. 1500 BCE. (source)

Bull-leaping Fresco, c. 1500 BCE. (source)

Mycenaean Civilization

- The first “Greeks,” c. 1600–1,100 BCE

- Constant warfare with other groups; heavily influenced (possibly conquered) the Minoans

- Lavish displays of wealth and power

- Mycenae first excavated by Heinrich Schliemann in the late nineteenth century

The Aegean Sea. (source)

Heinrich Schliemann and his colleagues at the Lion(ess) Gate, Mycenae. (source)

Citadel at Mycenae, 1600–1200 BCE. (left, source; right, source)

Lion(ess) Gate, Mycenae, c. 1250 BCE. (left, source; right, source)

Lion(ess) Gate, Mycenae, c. 1250 BCE. (source)

Lion(ess) Gate, Mycenae, c. 1250 BCE. (source)

“Tomb of Agamemnon,” aka “Treasury of Atreus,” Mycenae, c. 1250 BCE. (source)

“Tomb of Agamemnon,” aka “Treasury of Atreus,” Mycenae, c. 1250 BCE. (source)

“Tomb of Agamemnon,” aka “Treasury of Atreus,” Mycenae, c. 1250 BCE. (source)

“Mask of Agamemnon,” c. 1550 BCE, approx. 10” x 10”. (source)

Stirrup Jar with Octopus, c. 1200–1100 BCE, approx. height 10”. (source)

Optional Additional Images

Flotilla Fresco, Akrotiri, c. 1650 BCE. (source)

Spring Fresco, Akrotiri, c. 1650 BCE. (source)

Girl Gathering Flowers, Akrotiri, c. 1650 BCE. (source)

Woman or Goddess with Snakes, Knossos, c. 1700-1550 BCE, approx. height 11.5”. (source)

Bull’s Head Rhyton, Knossos, c. 1550–1450 BCE, height 12”. (source)

Bull-leaper, Knossos, c. 1600–1450 BCE, height 4.5”. (source)

Dagger Blade with Lion Hunt, Mycenaean, c. 1500, approx. length 9.5”. (source)