Ancient Art: The Cycladic Mother Goddess

Cycladic Art encompasses a variety of art objects and styles originating on the Cyclades, a 30 small islands off the coast of Greece in the Aegan Sea. Cycladic culture and art flourished during the early Bronze age. The art work of this ancient culture was vastly different than anything else produced during the same era. Artistic expression is evident in many everyday objects from the Cycladic period including bottles, vases and pottery. However, it is the interpretation and expression of the human form that is most closely associated with what we think of today as "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. These idols were most often placed at burial sites and nearly always figures of women. If the subject of the artwork was a male, he was usually depicted in an important role like hunter, warrior or musician. Figurines of animals and livestock were also common.

Yet it was the female form that garnered the most attention and remains the most common Cycladic art subject by nearly 20 to 1. 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." During this time, the style defined as "canonical Cycladic art" was produced which were predominantly female figures with 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.

Cycladic Art has been a source of inspiration for many modern artists who appreciated the restraint and refinement found in the simple lines and geometry. The inspiration of Cycladic art can be seen in the art of Modigliani, like his sculpture Female Head Statue, along with other modern artists including Picasso. However, time robbed these modern artists of the truth. 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.}

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