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

January 28, 2020

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

"Building Beta,

Room Beta 6, north wall
H: 2.70 / W: 2.76 m

On the northern and western walls of room Beta 6 in the upper storey of Building Beta, blue monkeys are represented in a rocky habitat. The colours of the rocks and the landscape remind us of the island of Thera. The artist seems familiar with these animals. The climbing monkeys seem true-to-life, with their tails bent in an S-shape. Studies have shown that when monkeys move with an S-shaped tail, they do this in order to facilitate balance and grip.

Monkeys, indigenous to Egypt, held an important place in ancient Egyptian theology. Possibly brought to the island as gifts and pets, a monkey’s skull was found in Thera and is evidence of the artist’s ability to study animals first-hand. Blue in colour, with a white belly and groin, and a small round head with a pointed muzzle, the artist’s monkeys present a convincing picture of reality."

-taken from therafoundation link below