What is Cycladic Art?

Cycladic art refers to an ancient artistic style of figures and decorations originating on the Cyclades, a 30 small islands in the Aegan Sea near Greece. 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. The most popular source of inspiration was the nude female form. 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 a discovery of Cyladic art will like be of a female 19 times out of 20. As the Cycladic culture was pre-literate, no writings exist to shed more light on the purpose or use 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 arms folded across the abdomen with flat, slanted heads and knees slightly bent. 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. 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." Time has worn away those artistic flourishes, leaving behind only the simple beauty of the Cycladic idols and the illusion of abstract simplicity.