In the Bronze Age we begin to see a refinement in sculpture developing. Settlements start springing up along trade routes with other countries and from this we can notice regional developments, native populations outlining their own standards of style.

Early mesopotamian votive statues

Most Greek artists are heavily influenced by Mesopotamia and Egypt. We believe that ancient sailors brought new votive images to their citizenry. As far as art historians can tell, the earliest of the Bronze Age sculptures do not happen on mainland Greece; instead they happen on the surrounding islands.

Cycladic Art

Some of the earliest images are from the Cycladic Islands The sculptures are monuments or idols usually made of marble. These are almost always female goddess/spirits with folded arms. They were used for markers buried near or with their dead. They have a very geometric and angular quality.

Bull and lion ,"rhytons", or drinking horns, found in ancient burial sites in Mycenae

Most of the sculpture from the Bronze Age on Greece comes from Mycenean settlements. The development of Mycenean sculpture seems to reflect heavy influence from Near Eastern, Egyptian, and Minoan art (from Crete).

The major cultural center around Greece during this time was on the Island of Crete where the rich had time to build impressive palaces and explore fanciful arts such as wall painting, vessel making and some sculpture, both in relief and free standing. The Minoan prosperity is probably due in a large part to their being on an island so they didn't have to face the constant threat of being invaded, as well as being on the shipping routes. The most famous palace on Crete is the palace of King Minos and from the name of the King we call this period Minoan Civilization.

A famous "snake goddess" statue believed to be from Crete.

Minoan Art Minoan civilization, as mentioned above, was by far the most cultured. We are still unraveling the mystery as to why this culture did not survive through the dark ages. Minoan sculpture is refined and sophisticated in a playful manner.

For more on Minoan culture click here.

Mycenean Art

Most sculpture found in the areas of the Greek mainland of ancient Mycenae has been unearthed from their shaft graves and beehive tombs. The most impressive specimens are made of gold. Most of the style development seems to come from Minoan influence as well as a style probably descended from the ancient Greek tribes, their ancestors.

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