Ryann Thompson
Professor Mackrandilal
History of Western Art I
17th February, 2016
Minoan Pottery Minoan pottery is more than just art; it is a useful way for us to learn more about a civilization that has been quite for centuries. The styles of their pottery changed over time, and you can see it clearly when you compare a pot from early Minoan times to when the age of their culture end. From Kamares to Marine & Floral to Palace, each style showing off unique techniques and naturalistic shapes while keeping a similar theme. Their pottery is so well known in fact that many of today’s ceramic artists try to copy their styles to create dazzling ceramic ware that can be sold worldwide. The Minoans were one of the first few societies whose knowledge…show more content… They repaired the stricken palace with their own techniques, which inspired potters to change their style once again. This style introduced a toned-down style of vase painting with designs of mainly black and white. Instead of flowing flowers and natural sea creatures, they became more stylized and abstract. They were decorated with a more schematic representation, and we see religious figures come back into design. Other designs were introduced to such as birds, helmets and shields (Metropolitan Museum of Art). Even the handles of the pots changed, going from smaller size with two-handled pots to slightly larger three-handled jugs. Ritual vessels with figures of eight handles, covered in spiky projections, the return of basic patterns and simple shapes, all can be seen in this new style. Because of this drastic change in style, archaeologists are able to better date when historical events occurred and what materials were in abundance when each pot was made. It helps them understand the trade routes and discovery of new cultures, new oils and ointments being exported to Cyprus, even a form of social structure based on designs found on pots…show more content… From collecting shells and flowers from nature to collecting fishing nets and armor from the people around them. This free and naturalistic way of thinking leads the Minoans to a creative and colorful way of living. In the time of the Bronze Age, the instinct of capturing nature and beauty never died, in fact some consider the Minoans one of the few that keep vital nature alive. The Minoan potter truly created many works of art in many different forms, and pottery is just of those many forms that we can still appreciate even
