1. Paintings, Sculpture, Metalwork
MINOAN ART
Paintings, Sculpture, Metalwork
Bull Rhyton,
Palace of Knossos, 1500 BC

2. Minoan Art Introduction: Minoan art reveals much about that society:
Joyous people
In touch with their environment/nature
In awe of movement
Minoan art is fluid
Minoan art was produced for its beauty rather than function.
Most art had a political or religious function. So did Minoan to an extent. But, lots of their art is for arts sake.

3. Minoan Art Many types: Gold Ring, 2000 BC Snake Goddess 1600 BC
Early Minoan I/II 2500 BC
Spectators Fresco, Knossos, 1450 BC

4. Minoan Art
Minoan art frequently involved trivial details of everyday life: cat stalking prey, octopus, sporting events rather than battles or political events.
This is art done out of interest in everyday life.
Most depictions of humans represent them them in the less meaningful events of life: walking, carrying a vase, etc.

5. Minoan Art Everyday Life: Water Bearers, Knossos, 1400 BC
The Fisherman, Akrotiri, 1500 BC

6. Minoan Art
This is the great Minoan legacy: producing art for pleasure. Art for arts sake. This led to a revolution in Greek art later on.
Minoan artist catches his subjects in the midst of action.

7. Minoan Art Subjects in action: The Boxers: Akrotiri, 1600 BC
The Dolphins, Palace of Knossos, 1600 BC

8. Minoan Art History: Not much survives from the early Minoan period
First palaces built
Much art from the Middle Minoan period ( BC).
Art reached its zenith during the late Minoan period
But also declined during the late Minoan period.

9. Minoan Art
POTTERY:
Proto-palatial (middle Minoan) : introduction of potters wheel. Pottery now had thin walls and symmetrical shapes.

10. Minoan Art Chronology of Pottery:
Monochrome neolithic wares: until EM period.
Early Minoan Period: pottery decorated with dark paint on light clay and then the opposite.
Middle Minoan: white-yellowish paint put over a dark painted background.
Late Minoan: dark painting on light with naturalistic decoration.

11. Minoan Art Pottery: EM: 2500-2000 BC Vasiliki Ware (EM) 2300-2000 BC
Early Minoan I/II 2500 BC
Beak Spouted Cup BC
Vasiliki Ware (EM) BC

12. Minoan Art Pottery: MM: Kamares Style 1800’s BC Crater
Beaker Jug
Cup Kamares Style

13. Minoan Art
Kamares-ware: Named after the cave they were found in. Characteristic of this time. Thin walls, swollen curves, elegant spouts and decorations. Very popular in Crete, Egypt and Syria.
Notice: evidence of contact

14. Minoan Art Pottery: LM: 1500’s BC
Octopus Vase: Marine Style: Octopus Vase
Glaze covered Vase
3 Handled Amphora

15. Minoan Art
Pottery: Stone Vessels: Hagia Triada, Crete. Harvester Vase, 1500 BC (Black Steatite)
Notice: musical instrument is a “Sistrum”-Egyptian

16. Minoan Art PAINTING: Best known for its focus on nature.
Their paintings show a vitality and love of life through their subjects and use of bright colors.
Painting goes back to the Pre-Palace period: wall paintings.

17. Minoan Art Fresco Painting: Painting on wet plaster.
Two types of Fresco:
Nature scenes: consist of borders that consist of odd shapes that are colored. Floors may also have been painted in Fresco style.
Court and religious life. Large number are Bull Leaping scenes. These are the most famous.

18. Minoan Art Painting: nature: The Dolphins: Palace, 1500 BC
The Birds: Palace Knossos, 1500 BC
Blue Bird: Knossos, 1500 BC

19. Minoan Art
Bull Leapers:
Knossos and other locals, 1500’s
Bull Leaping

20. Minoan Art One possible interpretation of Bull Leaping fresco.
From the art you have seen, what is a problem associated with this interpretation?

21. Minoan Art Painting: Style: Egyptian Influence Style: Uniquely Minoan
Men shown with red skin.
Women shown with white skin.
Egyptian side view with frontal eye.
Style: Uniquely Minoan
Small waists
Fluidity
Elasticity, spontaneity, fluid motion
Bright colors.

22. Minoan Art Painting: women and men Spectators by a Shrine
La Parisienne
Fisherman
Dancing Woman

23. Minoan Art Men and Women: Feather Prince, Palace, 1550 BC
The Ladies: Knossos, 1400 BC

24. Minoan Art
Different Female Faces
“No generics here!

25. Minoan Art Differences: Egyptians used dry fresco method.
Minoans used true “wet fresco” method. Painting on wet plaster allowed the the pigments of metal and mineral oxides to bind well to the walls. It required quick execution. The nature of this technique allowed for spontaneity and improvisation.
Since the painter had to work in a quick time frame, the brush strokes were very fluid and translated into gracefulness of art.

26. Minoan Art
Style: The figures in Minoan frescoes are depicted in natural poses of free movement that reflect the rigors of the activities they are engaged in.
La Parisienne
Sarcophagus Lid, 1300’s BC

27. Minoan Art
Sculpture:
Very little sculpture of Minoan Crete has survived.
Most of it not monumental but small articles dedicated to kings and gods.
Best example: Snake Goddess. Long flowing dress to ground, arms outstretched holding snakes. Probably a goddess. Typical Minoan woman attire.

28. Minoan Art Sculpture Minoan boat 1700-1650 BC
Snake Goddess: Various locations1600 BC
Bull Leaper: Crete, 1500?

29. Minoan Art
Metal work:
Exquisite metal works were created in ancient Crete with gold and copper imported from abroad.
Several techniques employed: lost wax technique, embossing, gilding, faience (granulation), nielo.
Faience: tiny beads of gold adhered to the surface of cast jewelry with a special low heat solder alloy.
Gilding: gold leafing (thin sheets of hammered gold foil).

30. Minoan Art Metalwork Metal work: Gold Ring: Goddess and Griffin
Gold Pendent
Gold Pendant: Pendant from the Aigina Treasure. Cretan work of Middle Minoan III, c Gold.
Ornament in the shape of a crouching lion from the tomb at Ayia Triadha. Probably Late Minoan I, c BC. Gold.
Gold ring with a depiction of a bull-jumping scene from Phourni. Before 2000 BC.
Gold ring with a depiction of the goddess with a griffin from Phourni. Before 2000 BC.
Gold ring with a depiction of a bull-jumping scene
Crouching Lion: Gold