Cycladic Art and the Female Form - By: Vance Lassiter

Cycladic Art encompasses a variety of art objects and styles that were produced on the Cyclades, a collection of thirty tiny islands in the Aegan Sea near Greece. Cyladic art and culture was at its zenith during the early Bronze age. The art work of this ancient culture was vastly different than anything else produced during the same era. These island dwellers incorporated artistic motifs into many everyday objects, but it was their interpretation of the human body and in particular, the female form, that defined "Cycladic art."

The widespread availablity of high quality, white marble in the Cyclades gave the civilization a beautiful medium in which to express their burgeoning artistic tendencies. By far, it was the nude female form that inspired the artists of this period. Cycladic sculptures recovered from burial sites are nearly always sculptures of a woman's body. The exceptions tend to preserve images of men performing culturally important roles such as story teller, hunter, warrior or musician. Figurines of animals and livestock were also common.

The female nude was the dominant artistic inspiration;however, and a discovery of Cyladic art will like be of a female 19 times out of 20. Unfortunately, no writing exists from the pre-literate Cycladic society to help explain the purpose of the idol figures. Some scholars believe they were used in prayer rituals, suggesting that the slightly tilted head of the idols indicates supplication to the gods. Others believe they may represent a "mother goddess" or priestess.

It was from 2800 BC to 2300 BC that Cycladic Art was at its most prodigious, a period known as "Early Cycladic II." This period defined the "canonical Cycladic art" characterized by the nude female figures, knees bent slightly, arms folded below the chest and flat heads that were pointed upward. A Cycladic figure could range from figurines tiny enough to fit in the palm of the hand to monuments slightly larger than a man. Traces of mineral-based pigments of azurite and cinnabar suggest the idols were often painted.

Many modern artists have taken inspiration from the ancient works of the Cyclades. The simple geometric forms have inspired many of the most revered artists of the last century. The influence can be seen in the work of Modigliani, especially his sculpture Female Head Statue, along with other modern artists including Picasso. In some ways, these modern masters have misintepreted Cycladic art to a degree. The Cyladic artists used paint and pigments to add jewelery, facial features, body paint and other decoration to their works in an attempt to more accurately approximate "real life." The passage of time has caused those details to erode, leaving behind only the simple beauty of the Cycladic idols and an art form heralded for its simple, graceful beauty.

About the Author

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