Naval Expedition from Thira
1500 bc 17.5" x 12" x 1/2"
Item #MF10

This fresco is a detail from a larger work found in the West House in Akrotiri, on the island of Santorini (Thera). The full fresco shows a fleet departing from one harbor, en route to another harbor, and although it is general agreed upon to be a narrative, the specific incident and location are under depbate.
There is certainly a festive tone to the scene. The three main boats, which are shown in the fresco detail are likely warships. The largest boat of the fleet has wild animals painted on its hull, and the smaller ship in front, with its sails unfurled, has birds. The placement of the animal life could be the artist’s way of showing the purpose of each ship- the dangerous warship, and the swift messenger craft.

The captains of the vessels sit astern in cabins, the “Admiral” in the most luxurious and decorative of the three. His spear is at rest, pointing up and back out of his cabin. Bunting festoons the Admiral’s ship, and dolphins frolick around the fleet, adding to the celebratory air.

Minoan artists showed their Egyptian influences by using color to emphasize sex; men weere painted a dark, reddish-brown. They also used profile like Egyptians, but added a new dimension to the art, a slight curvature and depth to their human characters that the flat Egyptian paintings lacked.

The West House, where this fresco was found, has led some to believe it was a high-ranking maritime officer’s house. Upstairs from the Naval Expedition fresco, is a repeating wall fresco which as been identified as the image of a captain’s cabin. Buried under tons of ash since the 16th century, b.c., the fresco colors have remained vibrant and the lines detailed to this day.