The first piece of art I looked at was the vase. It has a very smooth texture and it is very rounded. I definitely feel like this piece of art belongs to the Minoan civilization. It seems to have a very “bold” feel and its shape is very interesting. Just like the Harvester Rhyton, the vase tells a story of battle or warriors. The Mycenaens like to show brutality or war. The Mycenaean’s Vases are shaped wide at the top and small at the bottom just like this vase does. It is also a crater shaped, which the Mycenaean’s used for mixing water and wine. The crater form is very popular with the Mycenaean’s. It also compares to the interior of Tholos, because the tressed stone is smoothed down so much, just like the exterior and interior of the vase. The Mycenaean’s also painted their human figures until the Minoan’s would. Also, Mycenaean’s men are more cartoon-like structures, which these characters look like.
The fisherman on the other hand does not look like something the Mycenaean’s would have made. The fisherman looks like the Minoan’s made because of the style used to make this man. Just like the Bull leaping fresco, c150-1450 BCE because the style and texture are very similar. The Minoan’s have a lot to do with strength and power, a lot of that is in their artwork, just like this piece. The Minoan’s had a lot to do with natural and being part of nature. They enjoyed the beauty of life and the world around them. The fisherman is part of everyday life and surviving. They have to fish to eat and it definitely represents a part of nature. The Minoans also have a very distinct relationship with the sea. That I feel is also another reason why the fisherman is so important because fish are apart of the sea. Most of the Minoan culture has fresco art influences throughout most of their art. The style of the way they create people is also very familiar in the fisherman. The detail from the “Flotilla” Fresco form Akrotiri, c 1650 BCE compares to the fisherman because of the marine life. The ocean is their lively hood and what they know best.
Interesting thoughts, Reale. I was a little confused as to whether you think this vase belongs in the Minoan or Mycenaean civilization. It seems like you find qualities that fit with both of these cultures, especially since you mentioned the Minoan "Harvester Vase." Is that right?
ReplyDelete-Prof. Bowen
It was interesting how you connected the similarities of these two pieces. You had some good history to back up your assumptions off what cultures they belong to, just not a straight answer between the Mycenaean or Minoan civilization.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that the vase is from the Mycenaean culture. The text explains that they painted battle scenes and so it only seems fitting that this vase was done by them. And I also agree that the fisherman is from the Minoan culture. They show strength and skill through this painting in that they have the knowledge and physical ability to be able to catch that amount of fish at a given time.
ReplyDeleteI find the fisherman most fascinating. I think it is neat that they could incorporate so many aspects into one painting. It could portray the ideas of skills and a culture of strength. The fisherman shows skill because of the fish he caught and that shows advancements in the culture.
ReplyDelete