Aegean Flashcards
Cycladic, Figurine of a Woman, ca. 2500-2300 BCE, now Syros, Greece
Cylades- islands east of Peloponnesus, north of Crete in Ancient Mediterranean
highly geometricized, schematized with overlapping triangles (outlining head, body and pubic area)- understand world by imposing patterns on it, marble, polished by obsidian scraper, originally painted blue, red, green
mostly women found in graves of this culture, nude, protruding breasts, arms folded across chest, lying down as though deceased; not always in women’s graves but always with extended symmetrical poses
foretold abstract sculpture of Futurism, Cubism- now prized, helping artists to learn how to abstract form
however, in Cycladic culture- rites of passage/marking occasions, funerary; fertility? goddess? - true function unknown but they emphasize the feminine like Paleolithic Willendorf
dominant theory- figure painted differently (different colors) at different stages of life
Minoan, Bull-leaping, ca. 1450-1400 BCE, (Palace at Knossos on island of Crete, Greece)
buon fresco- large mural
Minoans worshipped bulls, young men display masculinity/virility w/acrobatic feats- like matadors/bull leapers today
highly stylized understanding of bull and figures: funnel of energy- “flying gallop”-pinched waists, long hair, curving lines, elasticity of form; not trying to be anatomically correct but instead communicate movement and liveliness
Minoans prized bright colors, vivacity, action- passed on to Greeks
women- ochre-colored, light skin; men- dark skin- ruddy, outside, exposed to sun, in public sphere- like Egyptian painted decoration & polychromed sculptures
Minoan, Snake Goddess, ca. 1600 BCE (Palace at Knossos Island of Crete, Greece)
found in shrine, 1.5’ tall, faience=colorfully glazed pottery to suggest colorful clothing women would have worn, dressed would catch one’s eye, designed for maximum motion
most common type- female holding serpents- water goddess- leopard on head, prominently exposed breasts
associated with water, regenerative power of femininity, protection of home (also seen in Greeks/Romans- nymphs associated fresh water springs, goddess of hearth/home, etc.)- no monumental statues in Minoan culture- exposed breasts and animals show mastery of animal world, appropriate for deity
frontality/large, staring eyes adopted from Egyptian/Near Eastern culture; bright costume, motion, liveliness is uniquely Minoan
Mycenaean, Treasury of Atreus, ca. 1300-1250 BCE, (Mycenae, Greece)- Peloponnesus
discovered by Schliemann and believed to be where Agamemnon buried, however, was typical burial place for wealthy
Tholos= circular, beehive-shaped interior room of tomb; Dromos=long entry hallway to prepare visitors and have them contemplate death on the way
Interior vault of tholos- 43’ high, oldest surviving corbeled vaulted dome, largest enclosed interior space w/o supports until Pantheon (125 CE, made of concrete)
very impressive to Ancient Greeks
Mycenaean, Funerary Mask, ca. 1600-1500 BCE (Mycenae- Mask of Agamemnon)
tombs reserved for kings and their families, most wealthy members of monarchy, dead laid out on floor, not buried, masks cover faces to avoid seeing effects of decomposition
beaten gold, about 1 inch high; repousse- metal flattened area hammered into shape from back, pushes forward to create relief of face
men buried w/weapons, seen as warriors; women w/jewelry, associated with beauty, chastity and virtue
types are not unique to one individual
type= youthful (King Tut) or mature=bearded- Agamemnon- a man can only grow beard from age of 30 onward
