IV. Minoan Civilization- Artistic Techniques

As mentioned in the previous blogs, the Minoan art stood out from the art work of different civilizations at that time. In addition to the naturalistic representations of the art work, the Minoan artists were characterized by their decorative principles such as torsion, and symmetry and polychromy (Hutchinson, Prehistoric Crete, 123-134) . 

Minoan fresco is rich in colors

Remarkably, the use of a variety of colors (like white, orange, orange-yellow and red) and designing techniques in Minoan pottery or frescoes marked the achievement of Minoan art and promoted their unique artistic perspectives. Often, the artists used a technique (ex: hanging spiral) and combined it with an object (ex: a cluster of berries) to show their creativity in art (Hutchinson, Prehistoric Crete, 133). 

the Minoan jewellery was famous for their fine details

Furthermore, the Minoan jewellery was famous for their fine details and harmonized design. The most well-known of them all was a golden pendant in form of two bees joined together by heads and tips (Hutchinson, Prehistoric Crete, 196). The symmetrical position demonstrated nature’s harmony and balance and the decorative balls on the pendant might symbolize either honey drops or berries. Another example of artistic representation of harmony is a seal with an ibex (Hutchinson, Prehistoric Crete, 178). The design is composed by elements like Cretan ibex, native rocks and tree (Hutchinson, Prehistoric Crete, 136), which together make the scene a symbol of the balance in the Nature. In summary, the Minoans and the Phaeacians have had outstanding achievements in art.

Reference

Hutchinson, Richard Wyatt. Prehistoric Crete. London: Penguin Books, 1965. Print.