The large-scale frescoes from Neopalatial Crete and contemporary Thera reveal a salient emphasis on the portrayal of textiles. The theme of textiles is realized in the intricate portrayals of patterned clothing, the central depictions of tributary cloth, the iconographic theme involving the unworn flounced skirt, and portrayals of elaborate wall hangings. This investigation focuses on the corpus of wall paintings that specifically highlight the representation of cloth. The primary materials evaluated are the large-scale figural frescoes that appear at the height of Minoan occupation at the sites of Knossos, Agia Triada, and Pseira on Crete, and at the contemporary sites of Akrotiri and Phylakopi in the Cycladic Islands. The material from Crete and that from the Cyclades is considered together, and the comparable textile iconography is identified and defined. The general objective of this study is to examine the significant role that textiles played during the Neopalatial period in the Aegean Bronze Age. The importance of cloth for this period, clearly documented by its artistic portrayal, has largely been overshadowed by investigations that are strictly concerned with Aegean costume or inquiries into textile industry. Investigations into the ritual and artistic use of cloth, irrespective of its role as clothing in the Aegean are rare. Moreover, sweeping investigations that consider the Minoan and Mycenaean paintings in a single homogeneous account often cloud the distinctiveness of the Minoan period. It is argued that the analogous representations from Crete and the Cycladic Islands reveal that textile production in the Neopalatial period was a major art of ritual, and artistic concern. Evidence that common social practices and religious rituals surrounding cloth existed in Crete and the Cyclades is furnished by comparable textile patterns, congruent styles of costume, and analogous ritual use represented in the large-scale fresco paintings. The conclusion is reached that while local affinities exist, there is specific commonality in the iconography of cloth between Crete and the Cyclades. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Art History in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the degree of Master of Arts. / Degree Awarded: Summer Semester, 2006. / Date of Defense: January 16, 2004. / Wall Hangings, Wall Hanging, Fabrics, Fabric, Clothing, Cloth, Textiles, Textile, Murals, Mural, Frescoes, House Of The Ladies, Aegean, Cycladic, Cyclades, Thera, Crete, Neopalatial, Bronze Age, Wall Painting, Fresco, Knossos, Phylakopi, Minoan, Costume Dress, Dressing, Ritual Robing, Rites Of Passage, Initiation, Xeste 3 / Includes bibliographical references. / Daniel J. Pullen, Professor Directing Thesis; Christopher Pfaff, Committee Member; Susan Lee, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_168892 |
| Contributors | Donahue, Cristin J. (authoraut), Pullen, Daniel J. (professor directing thesis), Pfaff, Christopher (committee member), Lee, Susan (committee member), Department of Art History (degree granting department), Florida State University (degree granting institution) |
| Publisher | Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource, computer, application/pdf |
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