Minoan and Mycenaean Art three thousand BC to one thousand BC

Minoan and Mycenaean Art three thousand BC to one thousand BC

Minoan Art

Also, referred to as Cretan art because it evolved on the island of Crete, the Minoan art, along with the Mycenaean art, are included in the Greek art. Both the former arts contribute to the creation and progress of art and culture of Greece. The history of both the Minoan and Mycenaean arts is in a way the history of Greek art in the pre-Hellenic period.

The Minoan art progressed on the island of Crete, which has a great coast; surrounded by bays, straits, archipelagos, and isles of numerous sizes, big and small. This provided the convenience of natural harbours to the Minoans. Therefore, since a very early stage, they devoted their attention to 'navigation' as their source of occupation and used it to establish trade relations with the neighbouring countries.

The tag 'Minoan Art' is derived from the name of the famous King Minos. Many stories related to King Minos are told in Greek mythology and fables.

The Minoans, unlike the Egyptians, are seen to have been non-believers in 'life after death', and found absorbed in enjoying the comforts of life. Their favourite sport was conducting 'Bull Fights'.

There is no definite cause that can be ascertained as to how the Minoan civilization ended abruptly. Certain inferences that are drawn in this regard are: the Minoans may have not been able to withstand the more powerful and aggressive tribal forces that existed then, or may have been swept by natural calamities such as tsunami, earthquake fire, or may have declined due to systematic plundering by certain foreign invaders.

Sculpture

There are no large sculptures found in Crete. Architecture existed but scarcely. Not much importance looks to have been attached to religion in

Minoan life, which is why there are no temples. But little artefacts seem to have been produced in abundance to export them to foreign regions. Resource material like brass, ivory, gold, copper, silver, terracotta were being used to make sculptures. Two terracotta sculptures of Knossos of the period sixteen hundred BC are well-known. Probably these could have been idols of deities. Among these, in the design on the hands, body and head of one of the deities, coils of three large serpents are drawn. The bodies of these deities are conically shaped, with wide, bulging eyes and bow-shaped eyebrows. Gauging from all these attributes, it is said that these may have been influenced by Mesopotamian art. Certain carved, miniature sculptures of brass and stone too have been found in the excavation; probably used for decorating the home interiors. Some of the stone sculptures are seen to have carvings designed on them. Limestones have been used for these creations. Of these, the two vessels, Boxer Vase and Harvester Vase are famous for engravings done on them. The Minoans were also adept at metallurgy, which manifests itself in the low-relief works seen to have been created on the golden dining crockery of those times. The low relief impact has been brought about by striking the back side of golden sheets. This method is called the 'Repousse Technique'. The 'Cafiopela' and 'Octopus vase' utensils are very famous. Some of these have human figures and landscapes depicted on them.