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Chapter 4 The Prehistoric Aegean

Gardner’s Art Through the Ages, 14e

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The Prehistoric Aegean

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Goals

• Identify the geographic area known as the Aegean. • Discuss the visual aspects and possible context of the

Cycladic sculptures. • Discuss Minoan society and architecture. • Understand visual aspects of Minoan art. • Understand the link between culture and architecture of

Mycenae • Identify important Mycenaean architectural achievements. • Discuss the relationship between Minoan and Mycenaean art

and culture

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The Cycladic Figures

• Describe the visual aspects of the Cycladic female and male figures. Why are these figures popular and highly collectible now?

Fernand Leger, Three Women, 1921 Purism(Cubism)

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Figure 4-2 Figurine of a woman, from Syros (Cyclades), Greece, ca. 2500–2300 BCE. Marble, 1’ 6” high. National Archaeological Museum, Athens. CUE CARD

Aleksander Archipenko, Woman Combing Her Hair, 1915 Cubist Sculpture

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Figure 4-3 Male lyre player, from Keros (Cyclades), Greece, ca. 2700–2500 BCE. Marble, 9” high. National Archaeological Museum, Athens.CUE CARD

Jacques Lipchitz, Bather, 1917, Cubist Sculpture

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4.2 Minoan Culture and Art

• Discuss the mythology behind the Minoan culture and architecture.

• Understand the elements and nature of Minoan palace architecture.

• Examine the medium, methods, and imagery of Minoan wall painting.

• Explore the developments of Minoan pottery.

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King Minos and Crete

• Discuss the Greek bronze age mythology behind Minoan culture and architecture.

• What light has Aegean archaeology shed on the mythological stories?

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Figure 4-4 Aerial view (looking northeast) of the palace at Knossos (Crete), Greece, ca. 1700–1400 BCE.

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Figure 4-5 Plan of the palace at Knossos (Crete), Greece, ca. 1700–1400 BCE. CUE CARD

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Figure 4-6 Stairwell in the residential quarter of the palace at Knossos (Crete), Greece, ca. 1700–1400 BCE.

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Figure 4-7 Minoan woman or goddess (La Parisienne), from the palace at Knossos (Crete), Greece, ca. 1450–1400 BCE. Fragment of a fresco, 10” high. Archaeological Museum, Herakleion.

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Minoan Architecture

• Understand the elements and nature of Minoan palace architecture.

• What was the “labyrinth” of the Minotaur and how does the palace at Knossos fit that description?

• Describe some of the remarkable achievements of Minoan architecture.

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Minoan Wall Painting

• What is the subject matter and style seen in Minoan wall paintings?

• What materials and methods were typically used? • Compare the fresco in the next slide with Egyptian wall

painting.

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Figure 4-8 Bull-leaping, from the palace at Knossos (Crete), Greece, ca. 1450–1400 BCE. Fresco, 2’ 8” high, including border. Archaeological Museum, Herakleion. CUE CARD

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Figure 4-9 Landscape with swallows (Spring Fresco), from Room Delta 2, Akrotiri, Thera (Cyclades), Greece, ca. 1650 BCE. Fresco, 7’ 6” high. National Archaeological Museum, Athens.CUE CARD

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The Development of Minoan Pottery

• Describe the materials used in the making of pottery in the Minoan culture.

• What is the predominant imagery in the painted images in Minoan pottery?

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Figure 4-10 Kamares-ware jar, from Phaistos (Crete), Greece, ca. 1800–1700 BCE. 1’ 8” high. Archaeological Museum, Herakleion. CUE CARD

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Figure 4-11 Marine Style octopus jar, from Palaikastro (Crete), Greece, ca. 1500 BCE. 11” high. Archaeological Museum, Herakleion.CUE CARD

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Figure 4-12 Snake Goddess, from the palace at Knossos (Crete), Greece, ca. 1600 BCE. Faience, 1’ 1 1/2” high. Archaeological Museum, Herakleion. CUE CARD

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Figure 4-13 Young god(?), from Palaikastro (Crete), Greece, ca. 1500–1475 BCE. Ivory, gold, serpentine, and rock crystal, restored height 1’ 7 1/2”. Archaeological Museum, Siteia.CUE CARD

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Figure 4-14 Harvester Vase, from Hagia Triada (Crete), Greece, ca. 1500 BCE. Steatite, originally with gold leaf, greatest diameter 5”. Archaeological Museum, Herakleion. CUE CARD

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4.3 Mycenaean Culture and Art

• Relate significant aspects of archeological excavations at Mycenae.

• Understand the link between culture and architecture of Mycenae.

• Discuss the relationship between Minoan and Mycenaean art and culture.

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Mycenean Art and Architecture

• Describe how the Mycenean palaces are different from the Minoan palaces.

• Discuss the relationship between Minoan and Mycenaean art and culture.

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Figure 4-15 Aerial view of the citadel at Tiryns, Greece, ca. 1400–1200 BCE CUE CARD

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Figure 4-16 Corbeled gallery in the walls of the citadel, Tiryns, Greece, ca. 1400–1200 BCE.

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Figure 4-17 Three methods of spanning a passageway: (a) post and lintel, (b) corbeled arch, (c) arch. CUE CARD

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Figure 4-18 Plan of the palace and southern part of the citadel, Tiryns, Greece, ca. 1400–1200 BCE.

4-18A Restored view of the megaron, Palace of Nestor, Pylos, ca. 1300 BCE (watercolor by Piet de Jong). CUE CARD

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Figure 4-19 Lion Gate, Mycenae, Greece, ca. 1300–1250 BCE. Limestone, relief panel, 9’ 6” high. CUE CARD

4-20 Treasury of Atreus, Mycenae, Greece, ca. 1300-1250 BCE. CUE CARD

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4-21 Interior of the Treasury of Atreus, Mycenae, Greece, ca. 1300-1250 BCE. CUE CARD

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Figure 4-22 Funerary mask, from Grave Circle A, Mycenae, Greece, ca. 1600–1500 BCE. Beaten gold, 1’ high. National Archaeological Museum, Athens. CUE CARD

4-22A Aerial view (looking TBD) of Grave Circle A, ca. 1600 BCE, and of the wall circuit, ca. 1300–1250 BCE, Mycenae, Greece.

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Figure 4-23 Inlaid dagger blade with lion hunt, from Grave Circle A, Mycenae, Greece, ca. 1600–1500 BCE. Bronze, inlaid with gold, silver, and niello, 9” long. National Archaeological Museum, Athens.

4-23A Hunter capturing a bull, drinking cup from Vapheio, near Sparta, Greece, ca. 1600–1500 BCE. Gold, 3 1/2" high. National Archaeological Museum, Athens.

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4-24 Two goddesses(?) and a child, from Mycenae, Greece, ca. 1400–1250 BCE. Ivory, 2 3/4" high. National Archaeological Museum, Athens.

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Figure 4-25 Female head, from Mycenae, Greece, ca. 1300–1250 BCE. Painted plaster, 6 1/2” high. National Archaeological Museum, Athens.

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Figure 4-26 Warriors Vase, from Mycenae, Greece, ca. 1200 BCE. 1’ 4” high. National Archaeological Museum, Athens.CUE CARD

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Discussion Questions

1. What do you think are possible functions for the Cycladic sculptures?

2. Compare the Egyptian Old Kingdom and New Kingdom [Armana period] styles of wall painting with Minoan wall paintings.

3. What was the focus of Minoan art? Did they emphasize the afterlife?

4. Why do you think the Minoan civilization declined? Give reasons for your ideas.

5. Compare and contrast Minoan and Mycenaean art and architecture. Despite exhibiting the influence of Minoan art, why did Mycenaean art and architecture develop along different lines (Example: Minoan Havester Vase v. Mycenaean Warrior Vase)?