Fresco fragment with leopard head



Fresco fragment with leopard head

Τ29Β
Plaster fresco
Fair
5 Χ 4.5 cm. approx.
Knossos
Town ("fill of the North Threshing Floor")
Late Bronze Age. Final Palatial period, Late Minoan ΙΙ - ΙΙΙΑ1 period:
1450 - 1375 BC:
Gallery:
XIII
Case:
144
Exhibition thematic unit:
Minoan wall paintings
The world of nature
Description
Fresco fragment depicting part of a leopard’s head (forehead, eye and ears). The white of the eye with its blue pupil is surrounded by a red outline and a white band. The inside of the ears is white, while the yellow fur is stippled with white spots outlined in red. This is clearly a non-realistic depiction of the spotted hide of a feline, indisputably identified by the patterning as a leopard. Felines (mainly cats) are often depicted in frescoes and seals, probably highlighting their hunting nature rather than any other aspect, even symbolic. In these scenes the feline is shown lying in wait to pounce on its prey.
Bibliography:
Cameron M., 1975, A General Study of Minoan Frescoes, with particular reference to unpublished wall paintings from Knossos, vol. I, II, ΙΙΙ. A Thesis submitted for the Degree of Ph.D. from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, pl. 63A. Vol. I pp. 92, pl. VIΙΙ, p. 450. Dating, p. 462, 597.
Author:
D. S.


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