Reproduction of the "Great S-spiral frieze" fresco

ca. 1400–1200 BCE

Not on view

Excavated 1884 west of the Great Forecourt of the Tiryns palace.

Ornamental spiral friezes have a long history in Minoan art. The version seen here with alternating up-and-down spirals and fan-shaped papyrus lotus blossoms became the favored ornate band frieze used to decorate most of the Mycenaean palaces. It has been suggested that the wide distribution of such a complicated pattern supports the idea of a traveling guild of fresco painters operating on the Mycenaean mainland. E. Gillieron, pere was hired in 1910-1912 by the Germans excavating at Tiryns to assist with the reconstruction of the many fresco fragments found at the site.

The original is in the National Archaeological Museum, Athens.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

References

Title: Reproduction of the "Great S-spiral frieze" fresco
Source: By Emile Gilliéron père, 1911 or early 1912.
Period: Late Helladic III
Date: ca. 1400–1200 BCE
Culture: Mycenaean
Medium: watercolor on paper
Dimensions: Overall: 36 x 26 1/2 in. (91.4 x 67.3 cm)
Credit Line: Dodge Fund, 1912
Object Number: 12.58.2
Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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Stamp seal, Jasper, green with red flecks, Graeco-Roman — Stamp seal
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ca. late 1st millennium BCE

Reproduction of the "Shield frieze" fresco, Emile Gilliéron Swiss, watercolor on paper, Mycenaean — Reproduction of the "Shield frieze" fresco
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Great Indian Fruit Bat, Bhawani Das or a follower Indian, Pencil, ink, and opaque watercolor on paper — Great Indian Fruit Bat
Painting attributed to Bhawani Das
ca. 1777–82

Reproduction of the Winged Three-bodied Creature, commonly known as "Bluebeard", Emile Gilliéron père Swiss, Watercolor, graphite, and crayon on paper, Greek — Reproduction of the Winged Three-bodied Creature, commonly known as "Bluebeard"
Emile Gilliéron
second quarter of the 6th century BCE

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