➿European Art and Civilization Before 1400 Unit 2 – Ancient Aegean Art: Cycladic to Mycenaean

Key Civilizations and Timeline

• Cycladic civilization flourished in the Cyclades Islands of the Aegean Sea from c. 3200-2000 BCE
• Minoan civilization developed on the island of Crete from c. 3000-1450 BCE
  • Early Minoan period (c. 3000-2000 BCE) characterized by the emergence of palaces and hieroglyphic writing
  • Middle Minoan period (c. 2000-1600 BCE) marked by the construction of grand palaces (Knossos, Phaistos) and the development of the Linear A script
  • Late Minoan period (c. 1600-1450 BCE) saw the destruction of palaces, possibly due to the volcanic eruption of Thera (Santorini) around 1600 BCE
• Mycenaean civilization emerged on the Greek mainland from c. 1600-1100 BCE
  • Mycenaean culture reached its height during the Late Helladic period (c. 1400-1200 BCE) with the construction of fortified citadels (Mycenae, Tiryns) and the adoption of the Linear B script
• The collapse of the Mycenaean civilization around 1100 BCE marked the end of the Bronze Age in the Aegean region and the beginning of the Greek Dark Ages (c. 1100-800 BCE)

Geographic Context and Cultural Influences

• The Aegean Sea, with its numerous islands and coastal regions, provided a conducive environment for maritime trade and cultural exchange
• Cycladic art was influenced by the island's limited resources, leading to a focus on minimalistic, abstract forms in marble sculptures
• Minoan art and architecture were shaped by the island's natural beauty, with vibrant frescoes depicting scenes of nature, marine life, and religious ceremonies
  • The Minoans maintained close trade and cultural ties with Egypt and the Near East, as evidenced by the presence of imported materials (ivory, gold) and artistic motifs (lotus flowers, papyrus plants)
• Mycenaean art and architecture were influenced by both Minoan and Near Eastern cultures
  • Mycenaean palaces and fortifications incorporated Cyclopean masonry, named after the mythical one-eyed giants due to the massive size of the stones used
• The Mycenaeans adapted the Minoan Linear A script to create Linear B, the earliest known form of Greek writing, used primarily for administrative purposes

Artistic Techniques and Materials

• Cycladic art is characterized by the use of white marble, sourced from the islands' quarries, to create stylized, abstract figurines known as Cycladic idols
  • Cycladic sculptors employed subtractive techniques, carefully chiseling and polishing the marble to achieve smooth, simplified forms
• Minoan artists excelled in fresco painting, creating vibrant, large-scale murals on the walls of palaces and villas
  • Frescoes were painted on damp lime plaster using natural pigments, allowing the colors to become an integral part of the wall surface
  • Minoan ceramics featured distinctive styles, such as Kamares ware, known for its polychrome decoration and intricate patterns
• Mycenaean artists adapted Minoan fresco techniques and also developed expertise in metalworking, creating elaborate gold masks, jewelry, and decorative objects
  • The Mycenaeans were skilled in the production of bronze weapons and armor, as evidenced by the numerous finds in shaft graves at Mycenae
• Mycenaean potters created distinctive wares, such as the Pictorial Style, which featured narrative scenes and military motifs painted on the surface of vessels

Iconic Artworks and Artifacts

• The Cycladic Figurines, such as the "Folded-Arm Figurine" from Syros (c. 2600-2400 BCE), are among the most recognizable artworks of the Cycladic civilization
  • These abstract, marble figurines depict nude female forms with folded arms, elongated necks, and tilted heads, possibly representing a mother goddess or a fertility symbol
• The Palace of Knossos, with its elaborate frescoes and architectural features, is a prime example of Minoan art and architecture
  • The "Bull-Leaping Fresco" (c. 1450 BCE) depicts a ritual or sport in which individuals grasp the horns of a charging bull and somersault over its back
  • The "Prince of the Lilies" fresco (c. 1550 BCE) portrays a male figure wearing a crown adorned with lilies and a necklace with a lily pendant, possibly representing a priest or a ruler
• The "Mask of Agamemnon" (c. 1550-1500 BCE), a gold funeral mask found in a shaft grave at Mycenae, is an iconic example of Mycenaean metalworking and funerary practices
  • The mask, named after the legendary king of Mycenae from Homer's Iliad, features a bearded male face with a stern expression and intricately rendered facial features
• The "Warrior Vase" (c. 1200 BCE), a Mycenaean krater depicting a scene of warriors departing for battle, exemplifies the Pictorial Style in Mycenaean pottery and provides insight into the militaristic culture of the time

Symbolism and Mythology in Art

• Cycladic art often featured abstract, stylized representations of the female form, likely symbolizing fertility, motherhood, or a goddess figure
  • The folded-arm posture of Cycladic figurines may represent a gesture of prayer, mourning, or a symbolic offering
• Minoan art frequently depicted bulls and bull-leaping scenes, suggesting the animal's importance in Minoan religion and ritual
  • The labyrinth, a prominent symbol in Minoan art, may represent the palace complex at Knossos or the mythical labyrinth that housed the Minotaur
• Minoan snake goddess figurines, featuring a female figure holding snakes in outstretched arms, may symbolize the goddess's role as a protector or a link between the human and divine realms
• Mycenaean art often portrayed mythological creatures, such as griffins and sphinxes, which served as protective symbols and signified the influence of Near Eastern mythology
  • The Lion Gate at Mycenae, featuring a relief of two lions flanking a central pillar, may represent the power and authority of the Mycenaean rulers or serve as an apotropaic symbol to ward off evil

Architectural Developments

• Cycladic architecture was characterized by simple, rectangular stone buildings with flat roofs, reflecting the limited resources and practical needs of the island communities
• Minoan palaces, such as Knossos and Phaistos, were sprawling complexes featuring multi-story buildings, open courtyards, and elaborate drainage systems
  • The Palace of Knossos featured a central courtyard, throne room, and numerous storage areas for agricultural produce and luxury goods
  • Minoan palaces incorporated advanced architectural elements, such as light wells and ventilation shafts, to provide natural light and air circulation
• Mycenaean architecture was characterized by massive fortifications and citadels, built using Cyclopean masonry
  • The citadel of Mycenae featured the iconic Lion Gate, a monumental entrance flanked by two large stone lions
  • Mycenaean palaces, such as those at Mycenae and Tiryns, included megaron halls, which served as the central gathering and ceremonial spaces
• Mycenaean tholos tombs, such as the Treasury of Atreus at Mycenae, were impressive circular burial chambers with a beehive-shaped dome, demonstrating advanced engineering skills

Social and Economic Factors

• The Cycladic islands' limited agricultural resources led to a focus on maritime trade, with Cycladic communities acting as intermediaries between the Greek mainland and the Near East
  • The presence of Cycladic figurines and ceramics in distant regions suggests the existence of extensive trade networks
• Minoan society was hierarchical, with a powerful ruling class residing in the palaces and controlling the production and distribution of resources
  • The Minoan economy relied on agriculture, particularly the cultivation of olives and grapes, as well as the production of high-quality craft goods (textiles, ceramics, metalwork)
• Mycenaean society was strongly stratified, with a warrior aristocracy dominating the political and economic spheres
  • The Mycenaean economy was based on agriculture, animal husbandry, and the control of trade routes, with palaces serving as centers of redistribution and administration
• The presence of luxury goods, such as gold jewelry and imported materials, in Mycenaean shaft graves and tholos tombs indicates the wealth and status of the ruling elite

Legacy and Influence on Later Art

• Cycladic art, particularly the abstract figurines, had a significant influence on modern art movements, such as Cubism and Abstract Expressionism
  • Artists like Pablo Picasso and Constantin Brâncuși drew inspiration from the simplified, geometric forms of Cycladic sculptures
• Minoan art and architecture had a lasting impact on the development of Greek art, with elements such as the use of frescoes and the incorporation of nature-inspired motifs being adopted by later Greek artists
• Mycenaean art and architecture laid the foundation for the development of Greek art in the subsequent Archaic and Classical periods
  • The Mycenaean megaron hall served as a precursor to the Greek temple, with its rectangular plan and central hearth
• The myths and legends surrounding the Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations, such as the story of Theseus and the Minotaur and the epic tales of the Trojan War, have continued to inspire artists, writers, and filmmakers throughout history
  • The rediscovery of these ancient civilizations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries sparked a renewed interest in their art and culture, influencing the work of artists, architects, and designers in the Art Deco and Art Nouveau movements