Minoan Thera Wallpainting Exhibition: River, 17th C. BCE

January 29, 2020

Minoan Thera Wallpainting Exhibition: River, 17th C. BCE

"The West House
Room 5, east wall
Miniature Frieze
H: 0.21 / L: 1.75 M

While neither the beginning nor the end of this section of the Frieze has been preserved, the flora and fauna themes, including those of hunting animals, link this wall-painting to the town depicted in the ‘Flotilla’ scene of the ‘Miniature Frieze’.

In this detailed composition, there are exotic animals and plants. Ducks, jackals, and even a mythical Griffin move along the palm fringed river-bank. The artist painted well-groomed and cultivated palm trees, representative of man’s intervention in this otherwise wild landscape.

This section of the Frieze is thought to portray a long stop in the voyage of the fleet. During this layover, the crew may have had an opportunity to explore the town and hinterland, bringing back images and stories from the interior."

-taken from therafoundation link below