Aegean Art Flashcards
Frying Pan from Chalandriani
2500-220 BCE Cycladic
These were found in the Rock Tombs along with weapons and jewelry. Rey may have used these as mirrors or as a cosmetic palette like the one used for Narmer. Nobody knows for sure because there ways not much infirmation uncovered.
Aegean Figure
2500 BCE Cycladic
These were found also buried fully nude. It may have suggested it was a cannon of some sort. They were white with their toes pointed and arms crossed. Some were found pregnant, some had crossed arms. There were marks of breaks in the art that were repaired that make them seem like they were carried around for some reason. It was abstract.
Harpist from Amorgos
2500 BCE Cycladic
It was also a somewhat abstract art. Same figure as the one before.
Reconstruction of the Palace of Knossos
1900-1930 Crete
This was a reconstruction built by Arthur Evans. He found it and wanted to rebuild it with concerted right on top of it. He used the old parts and elaborated. Be build rooms linked by porticoes and stair ways. The palace had workshops, granaries and armories. They had a drain system that put water out of the complex. They had a unique style of columns. Minoan columns had a tapered pillar and a domed top. This inspired the story of the labyrinth. There was no external protection so the maze like interior was used to protect. Also in was on an island so that was its own protection. There was a central courtyard with rooms surrounded. It was much more than just a palace. It had sky wells that let light into large rooms.
The Queen’s Megaron
1700-1300 BCE Crete
It was the idea that Arthur Evans made it the Queens chamber. The walls and paintings we in very poor shape. Most of it was recreated. The colors were originally made naturally and were all made with plants. The dolphin and the fishes were religious symbols and appear all around the palace complex. The main theme was nature. There was a light well or sky lights to let light into the rooms. The paintings were not even there originally, they were moved there. They paintings were dynamic and appeared to move or tried to do that. They respected the sea because many of the paintings were about them and their animals.
Spring Fresco
1600-1500 BCE Thera
This was one of the original parts of the island. It was preserved by volcanic activity. It was painted by mineral colors. They were extremely associated with nature. They liked it a lot
Octopus Vase
1500 BCE Crete
This was painted with the animal in mind. The tentacles were curved with the vessel. They painted this because they saw it. They painted the octopus to be harmonious with the vase. Even the handles were harmonious with the vase. Huge rough vessels were used for storage and the small ones were used religiously and for personal purposes. This is a stirrup jar.
Harvester vase
1500-1450 BCE Crete
There are 27 slim muscular men shirtless. There are in motion. They show the side of the guy having dynamic motion. There is obvious motion. The leader is in a clock carries a sistrum. A sistrum is like a rattle and it is from Egypt. The view is slightly composite so it infers to Egyptian Influence. Interpretations is based on what they we carrying. If they were either celebrating a planting or harvesting. Some people think it was warriors celebration or just slaves.
Rhyton in the shape of a Bulls Head
1500-1450 BCE Crete
It was printed rock and crystals were in the eyes. This makes them sparkle and give it its lifelike feel. It had guided wood horns. They were painted and covered in gold. It was incised with a shaggy texture to represent fur. There was a hole in the back for filling and a hole in the mouth to pour. It was functional. The Egyptians associated the Minoans with the bull. The bull played a large role in their society. Some vessels were found broken at religions ceremonies so it was assumed they were broken at the end.
Mycenae
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Snake Goddess
1650 BCE Crete
Religious life was centered at nature places. They prayed at natural places like mountains and rivers. There were statues at these natural places that represented their Deities. This was one of those. She has a headdress and was holding 2 snakes, one in each hand. She had a skinny waist and bear breasts. She had a flounced dress so we can assume it was a goddess figure. Snakes were associated with earth gods or male fertility. This was associated with the fact that they were in a earth grave. She had a cat on her head also associating with the earth.
The Lions Gate,
1250 BCE Mycenae, Greek
Lions were low relief. Corbeled which means bricked arch. There are heavy lintels so the posts are very strong. The triangle lions above the door weigh 2 tons. The animals we not necessarily Lions, but rather Gryphons. They stand in a heraldric poses which symbolizes their war power as guardian figures. They were standing on a Minoan column. The columns were styled in Minoan culture. The lions were 10 feet tall making the wall the first large scale sculpture on the Greek mainland. Many citadels had a megaron, throne room.
Tiryns Citadel
This was also on the Greek mainland and was a fortified palace. The land around it for,Ed a natural barrier of defense.
Corbeled casemate at Tyrins
1400-1200 BCE Greece
It was used as a shelter or weapons shack at the time. During attacks it would be used as shelter. This was Corbeled. Mycinians buries their dead in Corbeled houses and covered it up with dirt.
Mask of Agamemnon
1600-1500 BCE Mycenae
Found by Heinrich Schliemann. This was a mask of death and was used at death. It was made of gold and had almond shaped eyes. It is not really Agamemnon.
