Heraklion Archaeological Museum - CollectiveAccess System : Frescoes : Part of the Procession Fresco [Τ3]

Part of the Procession Fresco

Τ3

Plaster

Fragmentary, joined from fragments, restored.

Height: 186 cm. Width: 260 cm.

Knossos

Palace

Late Bronze Age. Final Palatial period. Late Minoan II period.:

1450 - 1400 BC:

Gallery:

XIII

Case:

130

Exhibition thematic unit:

Minoan wall paintings

The world of the court

Description

Part of the Procession Fresco which adorned the walls of the corridor leading from the West Entrance of the palace to the upper storey of the West Wing via the South Propylaeum. Fragments of 24 male and female figures in procession have been found. Some were discovered in situ during the excavation, blackened by the fire that destroyed the palace. Usually the lower part of the fresco is preserved. Based on the direction of walking, it appears that the members of the procession are not all heading the same way. The most prevalent view is that they are moving towards a central female figure, a goddess or a priestess. As is evident from this part of the fresco, at least the male figures are carrying vases made of precious metals and minerals as offering gifts. Arthur Evans, the excavator of the palace, supposed that the whole corridor was covered with hundreds of figures in procession. Regardless of the number of figures and the precise composition of the fresco, it is believed to represent real ceremonial acts that took place in the palace of Knossos.

Bibliography:

Boulotis, C. "Nochmals zum Prozessionsfresco von Knossos: Palast und Darbringung von Prestige-Objekten." In R. H?gg and N. Marinatos (eds), The Function of the Minoan Palaces. Proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium at the Swedish Institute in Athens. Stockholm, 1987, 145-156. Evans, A. The Palace of Minos.Vol. ΙΙ part 2, New York, 1928, 682-685, 719-755. Hood, S. "Dating the Knossos Frescoes." In L. Morgan (ed.), Aegean Wall Painting: A Tribute to Mark Cameron. British School at Athens Studies 13. London, 2005, 45-81. Immerwahr, S.A. Aegean Painting in the Bronze Age. London, 1990, 88-90, 174-175, pls. 38, 39.

Author:

E. S.

Photographs' metadata