Minoan Art
Visual Arts Guide

Minoan Art

Of of the earliest cultures in the history of art of the Mediterranean area, and an early forerunner of Greek art, Minoan civilization was named after the legendary King Minos, and grew up during the bronze age on the island of Crete (now administered by Greece) in the Aegean Sea at the eastern end of the Mediterranean. From about 3000-2500 BCE, the early Minoan people led a basic agricultural existence, but by about 2100 BCE they had built up a prosperous maritime trade with countries around the Mediterranean. This included buying tin and combining it with copper from Cyprus, to make bronze - the key metal of the time. This mercantile prosperity led to the construction of a series of palaces or 'court buildings at Knossos, Phaestus, Akrotiri, Kato Zakros and Mallia, along with other public works. Thus emerged a Minoan culture noted for its sculpture, fresco painting, ceramics, stone carvings (particularly seal stones), and metalwork.

At the end of what is called the Protopalatial period (c.1700 BCE), a major earthquake destroyed the Minoan Palaces. These were then rebuilt on a grander scale during the Neopalatial period (c.1700-1425 BCE), coinciding with the zenith of Minoan civilization.

Minoan art is noted for its ceramics and vase-painting, which incorporated all types of marine and maritime motifs. This emphasis on depicting nature and events - instead of rulers and deities - is also visible in Minoan palace murals and sculptures. Minoan artists typically portrayed animals, flowers and landscapes, and scenes of people.

Like the Egyptians, the Minoans painted women with fair skin and men with dark skin, but otherwise painting styles encompassed several differing colour schemes. Some wall paintings were executed in vivid colours, while others were monochromatic.

Noted Minoan artworks include: the frescoes "Fisherman with Fish" (pre-1600 BCE) from Akrotiri, "Lilly Prince" (c.1600 BCE) and "Ladies in Blue" (c.1600 BCE) from Knossos; the "Bull Hurdler" (c.1550 BCE), a fresco from Knossos Palace; "Riverscape" a mural painting (c.1550 BCE) from Akrotiri and "Boys Boxing" (c.1500 BCE), from Santorini.

In about 1500 BCE, another catastrophe destroyed all the palaces except for the Palace of Knossos, and around 1425 BCE the Minoans were conquered by the Mycenaeans.

• For other pre-historic civilizations, see: Ancient Art.
• For the main index, see: Irish Art: Guide to Visual Arts in Ireland

• How to Update This Mini Review of Minoan Art

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