How to Better Understand Minoan Painting and Sculpture

Perhaps, one of my favorite style art forms is the vibrant fresco. This art form can be found on the walls of the Minoan palaces and as decoration on Minoan pottery. The fresco originated during the Aegean civilization. The Aegean civilization was found in Crete, the mainland portion of Greece; and the Cyclades Islands. (The Islands are located in the Aegean Sea.) Read on for further detail about the Minoans and their most special kind of art.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• An interest in the Aegean culture as it pertained to Minoan art and Mycenean art.

1. The first thing you will need to be aware of regarding Minoan art is that the civilization we are talking about herein existed during the period of historical time known as the Bronze Age.
   
   The Bronze Age covered the dates of c. 3000 to 12,000 B.C.
2. Just to give you some quick insight regarding Minoan civilization, legend has it that the civilization of Crete was named after King Minos; thus, we derive the name Minoan.
   
   The Aegean Civilization that resided on the (Greek) mainland is referred to as Mycenean after the mainland's most significant city (of the time): Mycenae.
   
   This slight digression was necessary to establish the time and culture wherein Minoan art and sculpture originated.
3. The Minoan sculpture that has survived throughout the ages, with very limited exceptions are very small statues of varying material composition and stone seals, semiprecious in nature (and intaglio-cut.)
4. To begin your exploration of Minoan art, you will want to begin with Frescoes.
   
   The palaces and residences of Crete were, many times, decorated with vibrant murals. The fresco technique used in these residences originated with the ancient Egyptians.
5. Landscape painting is prevalent in Minoan art. The Minoan culture made great contributions to the art of painting landscapes. There were no signs of human figures within these paintings; rather, the landscape was painted with the idea of only depicting it.
   
   The landscape paintings were done using deep rich contours as a way to show the terrain and wonderful swirls of color signifying life.
6. The forms that were prevalent were animals such as birds and monkeys, shown moving about amidst (beautiful forms of) plant life.
   
   The Minoan artist had a way of showing strong movement. When observing an example of Minoan art, you will find much activity and animals in varying poses.
   
   Further, the slender Minoan figure makes it seem much more mobile.
7. Occasionally, you will find human forms within the Minoan mural. (One such example are the human forms found in the artwork at the palace in Knossos.
   
   Very infrequently, human form(s) were depicted by the method known as "minature style" wherein a crowd was symbolized within a small (area or) space. The artist would simply represent the (human) forms by a few sketchy strokes (of the brush).
8. The excavations in the Cyclades, on Thera, were helpful in expanding our knowledge of Aegean painting.
   
   The murals found, during Thera excavations were painted on the walls of well-to-do residential dwellings.
9. There is a close resemblance, in these frescoes, to the art found on Crete; however, the scenes of nature have a more abstract appearance.
   
   Additionally, many of the Thera murals show children of varying ages. The children (generally) have their heads shaved with the exception of one lock of hair.
10. There is one significant painting discovered at a site known as the West House. The mural shows a narrative scene full of ships sailing from one port to the next. It is considered one of the most important and extensive landscpaes pre-dating the Hellenistic period.
    
    Although, there appears to be much activity within this fresco, the artist seemed to have had no clear view as far as proportion or persepctive.
11. Religious-stype scenes similar to the pictorial representations from Crete and Thera were later adopted on the Greek mainland. Other favorite scenes included those involving fighting and hunting.
12. The second phase to this article is the exploration of Minoan sculpture.
    
    Monumental sculpture has not been preserved from the Aegean culture. In any event, there is some evidence that enormous "cultish" style statues made of wood; and large earthenware or (terra cotta) figurines existed. (The discovery of this possibility was found on the island of Keos.)
13. Statues generally were small and made of materials such as clay, ivory, bronze or faience.
    
    The most significant of the Minoan sculptures are vases - (very) small and made of stone. The use of these vases was for the taking of libations.
14. The vases are frequently carved in the shape of animals or "sport" decorative scenes (in relief).
    
    Landscape scenes, and figures (carved in relief) have a nice harmonious movement. This depiction of movement is similar to that of the Minoan frescoes.
15. Probably, the most significant sculpture(s) of the Aegean (culture) are the carved semiprecious gems. Even though they are considered the most important piece of sculpture, they are at the same time the smallest in size.
16. There are enormous quantities of preserved semiprecious stones (from this time period) wherein designs were formed in intaglio for the purpose of stamping on material such as clay.
    
    In reviewing this art form, it initially appears abstract designs were popular, however, later on, natural styles became commonplace. The most exquisite seals were gold rings; carved with symbols of worship or religion. This art form is a grand indicator of an Aegean religion.
17. In conclusion, beautiful Minoan sculpture and paintings show us an ancient society interested in nature and religion.