Art of Ancient Aegean: Imagery [CHRONOLOGICAL)

Question 1

When does the “Frying Pan,” with a Longboat originate? What does the piece provide to the context of Aegean art?

Answer 1

Cycladic Civilization (c.2500-2200 BCE)
-Repetition with repeated designs: geometric shapes
- Iconography: Boat (similar to what we see in pre-dynastic Egyptian artwork; could indicate warfare or ceremonial practices)
- Design accentuates pottery form and function

Question 2

When does the Female figure (attributed to the bastis master) originate? What does the piece provide to the context of Aegean art?

Answer 2

Cycladic Civilization (c. 2600-2400 BCE)
- Cycladic figures had various sizes of figurines (unlike those in the Paleolithic period): this one was considered “Speedos,” as in pointing towards the compactness/minimalistic attributes.
- Figures originally painted: markings of eyes (painted motif? Iconography?)
- Figures may have been used for funerary practices–> some intentionally broken and many found in tombs–> some from settlements=transformative purposes

Question 3

When does the Kamares Ware Jar with Aquatic Motif originate? What does the piece provide to the context of Aegean art?

Answer 3

Minoan Civilization (Old Palace period) (c. 1800-1750 BCE)
-Created from brown, red, and creamy white pigment on a BLACK BODY!
-Marine based (continuing phenomenon from Cycladic Society) presented their main lifestyle of seafaring, and their establishment as a power in the trade networks.

Question 4

When does the “Palace” at Knossos , Crete originate? What does the piece provide to the context of Aegean art?

Answer 4

Minoan Civilization (New Palace period) (c.1700-1370 BCE)
-Large Central Courtyard surrounded by ceremonial of political rooms–> organizational
- Absence of defensive walls (Different from Cycladic)
- Walls–>Ashlar Masonry: dressed stones providing a refined look/even appearance
- Columns: Had a shaft and a capital–> Capital was round wile the shaft had a taper (larger on the top) and had red coloring

Question 5

When does the Harvester Rhyton originate? What does the piece provide to the context of Aegean art?

Answer 5

Minoan Civilization (New Palace Period) (c.1650-1450 BCE)
-More (Idealized bodies) muscular attributes/more expression/postures than Egyptian (Seen in the Warka Vase (Summerian)
-Sistrum=Musical instrument; Winnowing fans= used to separate grain–> harvest of wheat
- Overlapping- no spatial difference compared to the Egyptian
- Rhytons had an important ritual/ceremonial purposes; special= forced to have elaborate in their forms.

Question 6

When does the Inlaid Dagger Blade with Lion Hunt originate? What does the piece provide to the context of Aegean art?

Answer 6

Mycenaean Civilization (c.1600-1500 BCE)
- Found in Shafter Graves–> Funerary item (w/many other precious items)
- Pinched waist, broad shoulders, dynamic posing –> takes after Minoan (could mean possible cultural exchange.)

Question 7

When does the Sealstone with Combat Scene from the Griffin Warriors Tomb originate? What does the piece provide to the context of Aegean art?

Answer 7

Mycenaean Civilization (c. 1500 BCE) (Grave Circle A)
- Dynamic/exaggerated poses with attention to anatomical details.
- Discovered in a burial shaft grave–> could have been used for funerary rituals however it is also an indication of the decease being in high-elite society: “Griffin Warriors.”

Question 8

When does the Lion gate at Mycenaean originate? What does the piece provide to the context of Aegean art?

Answer 8

Mycenaean Civilization (c. 1300-1250 BCE)
- Narrow opening; makes the citadel more difficult to invade.
- Post and Lintel construction and contains corbelling above the gateway ( becomes an relief triangle)
- The lions seem to be at an altar standing towards a Minoan like column (Indicates some sort of connection whether indicates integration or trade networks shared)
- Animals– Human like aspect. Presents a sort of nobility. Deities?