Ancient Aegean Art

Instructor: Mrs. Christine Ege

Introduction to Art – DAD Department

25th March 2015

The Aegean Before the Greeks• The beginning of the Greek civilizations

• 3000 BCE – 1100 BCE

• Covered small islands in the eastern Mediterranean

• These islands are called the Cyclades

• Bronze Age culture of ancient Greece

• Foundation of the Greek city states

• The two main civilizations of the Aegean were:• Crete (the Minoans)• Mycenae

• Archaeologists are constantly learning new things about ancient Aegean arts and culture

• Unlike the later Greek civilizations, we do not know a lot about early Aegean civilizations

Figurine of a WomanGreece, Syros (Cyclades), (ca. 2500 – 2300 BCE)Marble1 foot 6 inches highNational Archaeological Museum, Athens, Greece

Cycladic Figurines• Throughout the Cycladic Islands small figurines

have been found

• Earlier forms (6000 BCE) were molded out of clay

• Later forms (3000 BCE) were carved out of marble

• All forms are highly abstracted, and vary in size from only a few inches to almost 5 feet tall

• Almost all of the sculptures have been found in graves and are depictions of women

• All Cycladic figurines are stylized and hold many of the same positions

• They would have been painted

• Are believed to be guardian figurines

Male Lyre PlayerGreece, Keros (Cyclades), (ca. 2700 – 2500 BCE)Marble 9 inches highNational Archaeological Museum, Athens, Greece

The Male Lyre Player• The most important Cycladic Figurine

• One of the only male Cycladic Figurines

• Discovered on the island of Keros

• Shows a male figure sitting on a chair. He has a lyre on his lap which he seems to be playing

• Traces of paint have been found on the statue showing that color was an important part of this representations

• Many archaeologists believe that the figurine would have been placed in the grave in order to play music to the deceased in the afterlife

• Was placed in the tomb of a woman, so we know that the player was not meant to represent the deceased person

Reconstruction of the Palace of KnossosGreece, Crete, (ca. 1700 – 1400 BCE)

The Palace of Knossos• Created on the island of Crete

• One of the most important civilizations of the Cycladic period

• The people are called the Minoans

• They ruled over the island of Crete (and the surrounding islands)

• The most splendid form of Minoan architecture comes from the palace of Knossos

• Home of the legendary King Minos and was home to the legendary Minotaur

• The English word labyrinth comes form the architectural plan of the Palace of Knossos

• Consists of three stories with winding hallways, stair cases, courtyards, gardens, and sophisticated plumbing systems

Minoan ColumnsGreece, Crete (Knossos), (ca. 1700 – 1400 BCE)

The Minoan Column • One of the most impressive features

of the Palace of Knossos is that of the columns

• Found throughout the palace

• Were made of wood from the islands forest interior

• The capitals and shafts of these columns are distinctive to the Minoan civilization and are found nowhere else in the Greek isles

• They are wider at the top and taper down to the bottom

• This makes for very difficult construction, but a very unique effect

• They were highly decorated

• Painted with read, blue and black

Minoan Woman or Goddess (La Parisienne)Greece, Crete (Knossos), (ca. 1450 – 1400 BCE)Fragment of a Fresco10 inches highArchaeological Museum, Herakleion, Crete

Minoan Wall Paintings• Minoans were not only known for their

monumental architecture

• They were very good at painting

• Many of these paintings can be found on the walls of the Palace of Knossos

• Often depict the most important parts of Minoan life• Bull-leaping, processions, festivals, and religious

ceremonies

• Unlike with the wall paintings of the Ancient Egyptians, these paintings were meant for the Minoan royal family to enjoy in their life

• These paintings tend to have more detail than that of the Ancient Egyptians, yet they still use a similar style and the same profile

Girl Gathering Saffron Crocus FlowersGreece, Thera, (ca. 1630 BCE)Detail of Wall PaintingThera Foundation, Petros M. Nomikos, Greece

Ancient Aegean Women• It is through these wall paintings that we have

formulated ideas of what women in ancient Greece looked like

• This main style of depiction of women is carried through from the art of the Ancient Aegean civilizations, to Ancient Greece, and even into Ancient Rome

• The women are shown in profile

• They have detailed faces, with attention being paid to hair, make up, and jewelry

• They are often brightly colored and are shown interacting with nature

• We are not sure if these depictions of women were meant to be close to what women really looked like at the time, or if they were highly stylized to what people though women should look like

Bull-leapingGreece, Crete (Palace of Knossos), (ca. 1450 – 1400 BCE)Fresco2 feet 8 inches high including borderArchaeological Museum, Herakleion, Crete

Bull – Leaping• The most famous of all Minoan wall

paintings

• It depicts the Minoan ceremony of bull-leaping

• Only part of the original fresco has been uncovered• The dark patches in the image to

the right come from the original fresco

• The light patches are a reconstruction

• What defines Minoan painting versus others was their use of motif, and their line style• They created thin lines, which they

filled in with bright colors• They created motifs from the

natural world and placed them in all their paintings

Landscape with Swallows (Spring Fresco)Greece, Thera (Cyclades), (ca. 1650 BCE)Fresco7 feet 6 inches highNational Archaeological Museum, Athens, Greece

The Natural World in Aegean Art• One of the main motifs found

throughout Aegean art is that of the natural world

• Found in wall paintings, mosaics, and pottery

• Motifs include:• Birds, Animals, Flowers, and Marine

Life

• The artists of the Aegean were taking this important parts of their everyday lives (the things they saw on a daily basis) and using that as inspiration for royal art

• There seems to be a larger presence of images related to the sea and marine life

• This is more than likely due to the importance of the sea, and sea faring trade to the peoples of the Minoan civilization

Kamares-ware jarGreece, Crete (Phaistos), (ca. 1800 – 1700 BCE)1 foot 8 inches highArchaeological Museum, Herakleion, Crete

Minoan Pottery• Outside of their architecture and paintings, the

Minoans are known for their skill in pottery

• Potters used the same styles of decoration that the painters did

• Motifs are shown in both realistic and abstracted forms• See images of fish on the jar (to the right) versus

the images of waves found on the bottom of the jar (to the right)

• The contrast found in the colors used on Minoan pottery will be used later by the Greeks

• The natural creamy color of the clay used to form the pot was used as the background, dark brown, and ocher colors were then used to outline and fill in the forms

Marine Style Octopus JarGreece, Crete (Palaikastro), (ca. 1500 BCE)11 inches highArchaeological Museum, Herakleion, Crete

The Importance of the Sea• Most Minoan pottery uses marine motifs

• The most common forms are of marine animals, and waves• Marine animals are seen in their realistic

forms • See the octopus painted on the jar to the

right• Other forms (such as waves, and

seaweed) are painted in an abstract form

• See the seaweed surrounding the octopus on the jar to the right

• Some archaeologist believe that Minoan pottery was used mainly in trade, and therefore using marine themes shows us that sea trade was very important to the Minoans

Harvesters VaseGreece, Crete (Triada), (ca. 1500 BCE)Steatite, originally with gold leaf5 inches at the largest diameterArchaeological Museum, Herakleion, Crete

The Harvesters Vase• This is a form of vase called a rhyton

• Rhytons were used to hold liquids that would then be poured during religious ceremonies

• The Harvesters Rhyton is the most famous of all Cretan Rhytons

• The top half of the rhyton is covered in an elaborate engraving

• The engraving shows 27 male figures crammed together to celebrate bringing in the harvest

• It is assumed that this rhyton was used at celebrations relating to the yearly harvest

• The joyous nature of the images shows us that this rhyton was used in a celebration that was important to the daily lives of the Minoans

Young God (?)Greece, Crete (Palaikastro), (ca. 1500 – 1475 BCE)Ivory, Gold, Serpentine, and Rock Crystal1 foot 7 ½ inches highArchaeological Museum, Siteia, Greece

Unique Forms of Sculpture• One of the most interesting artifacts found on Crete / in

the Aegean

• Chryselephantine (gold and ivory mixed together)

• Believed to be a cult image

• The gold and ivory would have been imported from Egypt

• This shows us that this icon was an important part of religious practices for the people of Crete

• Because the icon was found in its own alter we can assume that it was meant to be a god not a human

• We can also assume from the braided hairstyle (common in depictions of Cretan boys) that the god was a young one

Snake GoddessGreece, Crete (Knossos), (ca. 1600 BCE)Faience1 foot 1 ½ inches highArchaeological Museum, Herakleion, Greece

The Snake Goddess• Compared to the works of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and

later in Greece, Minoan statues are relatively small

• Some archaeologist believe that the people of Crete made larger sculptures out of wood, but they have not been found because of fires

• Faience statues were common in Crete

• The most amazing of these is that of the Snake Goddess

• She holds and snake in each hand and controls a leopard which sits on her head

• This goddess is believed to be the main female deity of the Ancient Cretans

• Although the form of the statue is reminiscent of sculptures created in Egypt and Mesopotamia, her costume is uniquely Cretan

Bull’s-Head RhytonGreece, Crete (Knossos), (ca. 1550 – 1450 BCE)Steatite with shell, rock crystal, and red jasper30.5 cm highArchaeological Museum, Iraklion, Crete

The Bull’s Head• Bulls were a common motif in the Minoan

civilization

• Carved from one block of steatite

• Shell was used to form the eyes and the ring around the nostrils

• The horns (which have been resorted) were originally made of wood and then covered in gold leaf

• A form of animal portraiture

• Was filled with liquid (from a hole in the neck) this liquid would spill out of holes in the mouth to make it seem like the bull was frothing at the mouth

Pendant of Gold BeesGreece, Crete, (ca. 1700 – 1550 BCE)Gold4.6 cm Archaeological Museum, Iraklion, Crete

Gold Work• The Minoans were also knows for their

ability in metallurgy (mainly in gold)

• Were proficient in the use of:• Lost-wax technique (using wax and then

melting it away to create large metal forms)

• Filigree (wire decoration)• Granulation (balls of gold)• Gilding (adding gold leaf)

• Most of the gold work which has been discovered from the Minoan Civilization is found in the form of jewelry

• Jewelry has been found in the graves of all Minoan royals and was obviously important to both men and women

Citadel at MycenaeGreece, Mycenae, (ca. 1600 – 1200 BCE)

Mycenae• After the fall of the Minoans other

Aegean city states began taking control of the eastern Mediterranean

• One of the main city states to gain control was that of Mycenae

• Although it is not clear when exactly Mycenaean culture began, the art that was produced during its reign was distinctive and influential on the later art of Greece and Rome

• Mycenae is known for its immense wealth

• Homer called Mycenae “rich in gold”

• Mycenaean art is known for its monumental architecture, and metallurgy

Citadel at MycenaeGreece, Mycenae, (ca. 1600 – 1200 BCE)

Aerial View of the Citadel at TirynsGreece, Tiryns, (ca. 1400 – 1200 BCE)

The Ancient City of Tiryns• The citadel of Tiryns is located

about 10 kilometers from the main citadel of Mycenae

• This citadel is believed to be home of the mythical race of Cyclopes (one-eyed giants)

• The Mycenaean's were master citadel builders, and were therefore able to protect their cities

• It is in these citadels that the architects of Mycenae came up with unique solutions to the problems of building large structures with stones

• Many of the techniques architects and builders use today come from concepts created in Mycenae

Corbeled Gallery at the Citadel of TirynsGreece, Tiryns, (ca. 1400 – 1200 BCE)

Archways• One of the unique forms of

architecture that was developed by the Mycenaean's, was that of the corbeled archway

• They developed this from the original form of the post and lintel system

• The development of the corbeled arch was a major step forward in the history of architecture

• By changing the form the Mycenaean's were playing with gravity and pushing their designs to be something unique

• The corbeled arch was originally only used in the creation of tombs

• Circle forms were only used to create tombs, therefore creating a strong correlation between circular motifs and death

The Different Types of Archways

Post and Lintel

• The oldest form of arch way

• Consists of 2 posts

• A lintel is placed on top of the 2 posts

Corbeled Arch

• New form of arch way used in the Ancient Aegean and Greece.

• Consists of 2 posts

• Instead of using a lintel, smaller stones were placed on top of one another to create a triangular archway

Arch

• Developed in later stages of Ancient Greece and Rome

• Uses the weight of the stones to hole it upright

Lion GateGreece, Mycenae, (ca. 1300 – 1250 BCE)LimestoneRelief Panel 9 feet 6 inches high

The Lions Gate• The most amazing form of corbelled

arch found in Mycenae is that of the Lions Gate in the Citadel of Mycenae

• The arch itself uses the post and lintel form with a giant triangular stone placed above the lintel to create the corbelled archway

• In between the post and lintel system and that of the corbelled arch

• The triangular stone engraving at the top of the lintel is highly detailed and very interesting

• There are two lions flanking a Minoan column

• What this shows us is the connection of the Mycenaean kings to the other civilizations in the region

• It shows us the power and might of the kings, and how they felt about their presence in the region

Treasury of AtreusGreece, Mycenae, (ca. 1300 – 1250 BCE)

Treasury of Atreus• Is a tholos tomb (beehive tomb)

• This is basically a giant corbelled arch that is created for 360 degrees to created a corbelled room

• These tombs are common in the area of Mycenae (9 in total)

• The earthen mound surrounding it was built up, NOT BUILT IN TO

• Stones would have been placed in a circle and then successive stones would be placed slightly in and in until the desired shape was created

• As you build up earth must be placed on the outside of the structure in order to hold the structure together

Treasury of AtreusGreece, Mycenae, (ca. 1300 – 1250 BCE)

Funerary MaskGreece, Mycenae (Grave Circle A), (ca. 1600 – 1500 BCE)Beaten Gold1 foot highNational Archaeological Museum, Athens, Greece

Funerary Mask• The first time we see death masks

being used in the Ancient Aegean

• Made using the repoussé technique (hammering the shape into a single piece of metal)

• The first time in Ancient Greece that we see people trying to make the human face life size and close to its actual representation

• The facial features show us that the man who wore this death mask was probably elderly when he passed away

• Believed to be the death mask of the mythical Mycenaean King Agamemnon

Vapheio CupGreece, Sparta, (ca. 1650 – 1450 BCE)Gold10.8 cm highArchaeological Museum, Iraklion, Crete

Inlaid Dagger Blade with Lion HuntGreece, Mycenae (Grave Circle A), (ca. 1600 – 1500 BCE)Bronze inlaid with gold, silver, and niello9 inches longNational Archaeological Museum, Athens, Greece

Gold Work• As you can tell from the death mask of Agamemnon the Mycenaean's were experts in gold

work

• Shows four hunters attacking a lion who has attached a fifth hunter

• Two remaining lions run away (off to the end of the dagger blade)

• From the amount of work put into this blade, we can tell that the blade was probably not used as a functional object, but rather as a ritual one

• It is unclear weather the work was created by a Minoan or a Mycenaean

• What we can tell though is that the subject matter is based in Mycenaean culture

Warriors VaseGreece, Mycenae, (ca. 1200 BCE)1 foot 4 inches highNational Archaeological Museum, Athens

Warriors Vase• The Mycenaean's were not known for

their painted wares (pottery)

• There are very few examples of pottery from Mycenae

• The abstraction found in the forms on the Warrior Vase is similar to that of Minoan vases

• This shows us that although Mycenaean pottery was not common that they did find the techniques used by the Minoans of a high quality

• They would have seen these motifs during the time that they traded with the Minoans

• The theme of going off to war is one that is common throughout the cities of Ancient Greece, but oddly enough not with the Minoans

• So the Mycenaean’s were taking the style of the Minoans and mixing it with a theme that they found important

Female HeadGreece, Mycenae, (ca. 1300 – 1250 BCE)Painted Plaster6 ½ feet highArchaeological Museum, Athens, Greece

Female Head• Painted plaster sculptures are unique in the

art of Mycenae

• It follows in the techniques and motifs of the Minoans

• The face is clearly female in its style, but its use is unknown

• Some feel that it might have been a depiction of a goddess or of a sphinx like sculpture

• The highly stylized facial features give the figure a menacing feeling even though it is not clear if that is what the sculpture was meant to represent

The Flotilla FrescoGreece, Akrotiri, (ca. 1650 BCE)National Archaeological Museum, Athens

The Flotilla Fresco• One of the most impressive (and only) examples of Mycenaean wall paintings

• It is a continuous painting that covered the top part of a room in a house in Akrotiri

• Shows a celebration of the Minoans

• You can see the importance of the waterways to the peoples of the time

• The peoples are connected in many ways to the water

• The people are depicted in a very traditional Minoan style

Vocabulary