Plasterboard - Three ladies from Knossos
Plasterboard with motif "Three ladies" ca. 17 x 22 x 1,5 cm
| Aspiration scale: | Easy |
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| Time Line: | 1,5 Hours |
They were the first advanced civilisation in Europe, their seafarers dominated the Mediterranean for centuries and their bull cult was the model for the legend of the Minotaur: the Bronze Age empire of the Minoans, named after the legendary king Minos, is still legendary today.
The Minoans built large palace complexes on Crete around 5,000 years ago, constructed roads and developed a script that is still undeciphered today. Their sphere of influence stretched from the Aegean islands to Cyprus and the coast of Asia Minor to Mesopotamia and Egypt. But as magnificent and archaeologically productive as Minoan palaces such as Knossos or Phaistos are, their builders still pose numerous riddles to researchers. The reason for the decline of the legendary Minoan empire is also not clearly understood.
With their open bodices and exposed breasts, the three blue ladies are one of the most famous works of art from the Knossos Palace in Crete, along with the famous Bull Leaping fresco (also on sale). Their splendid dresses, exquisite jewellery and elaborately styled hairstyles indicate a high status, perhaps they are princesses.
The fresco was found near the royal depots in 1914 and is dated to 1525-1450 BC. It has an original size of 156.2 cm x 101.6 cm and is exhibited in the museum in Heraklion.