Fresco's Boat: A Luxurious Yacht For The Ultimate Adventure

The Ship Procession Fresco, discovered in Akrotiri, ancient Thera (modern-day Santorini), is a Bronze Age mural painting that depicts a fleet of ships travelling between two towns. The fresco is notable for its detailed and accurate portrayal of the ships, which has led to discussions among archaeologists about life in the Aegean Bronze Age. The largest and most ornate ship in the procession, adorned with lions and dolphins, is believed to be the flagship of the fleet. This ship has 42 oars, with each rower requiring 70-80 cm of space, allowing for an estimation of the ship's length at 35-49 meters.

Fresco boats: Minoan ships

The ancient Minoan civilisation is known for its impressive frescoes, particularly those discovered in the Bronze Age town of Akrotiri on the island of Thera (modern-day Santorini). One of the most famous of these is the Ship Procession Fresco, which depicts a fleet of ships travelling between two towns.

The Minoans are believed to have been a thalassocracy, or sea-power, and the Ship Procession Fresco provides evidence of this. The fresco shows large ships with up to 46 oars, as well as smaller sailing ships. These ships are likely to have been seaworthy, capable of making long-distance journeys.

The Minoan frescoes were created using the buon fresco or true fresco technique, in which paint is applied to wet plaster. This method results in brighter, more vibrant colours than the fresco-secco technique, where paint is applied to dry plaster. The buon fresco technique requires the artist to work quickly, as the plaster dries within 10-12 hours, and mistakes cannot be easily corrected.

The subject matter of Minoan frescoes tends to focus on nature, landscapes, and special occasions, rather than rulers or gods as seen in Egyptian art. The Ship Procession Fresco is believed to depict either a lost epic or a yearly festival celebrating the sea, an important aspect of Minoan life.

The clothing and boats depicted in the fresco also provide information about Minoan social class. The figures wearing long robes and travelling in elaborately decorated boats are likely high-status individuals, while those rowing the boats are lower-status boatmen or slaves.

In addition to the Ship Procession Fresco, other notable Minoan frescoes include the Bull-Leaping Fresco, which depicts a sacred ceremony, and the Toreador Fresco from the Palace at Knossos. These frescoes provide valuable insights into the culture, values, and social structure of the ancient Minoan civilisation.

Fresco boat procession: Atlantis to Knossos

The Ship Procession Fresco, also known as the Akrotiri Marine Festival Fresco, is a Bronze Age fresco discovered in Room 5 of the West House in Akrotiri, an ancient town on the Aegean island of Thera (modern-day Santorini). The fresco is approximately 12 metres long and 43 centimetres wide and is believed to date back to c. 2000-1500 BCE.

The fresco depicts a procession of ships travelling between two towns. One interpretation of the fresco is that it represents a festive voyage from Atlantis to Knossos, with the ships departing from Atlantis and arriving at Knossos. This interpretation is based on several elements within the fresco, including the colours of the buildings, the presence of lions and deer, and the configuration of the mountains and coastline.

The town on the left of the fresco, from which the ships are departing, is believed to be Atlantis due to its resemblance to Plato's description. The town is shown as being built with red, white, and grey brick, with yellow adornments, which aligns with Plato's description of Atlantis as being constructed with red, white, and black stone, decorated with brass, tin, and "orichalcum". Additionally, the town in the fresco is open to the sea on one side and surrounded by water, matching Plato's description of Atlantis as an island surrounded by rings of water.

The destination town on the right of the fresco is identified as Knossos based on several geographical features. The complex coastline, with separate harbours and associated towns, backed by mountains, resembles the north Crete coast. The first construction the fleet approaches is identified as the Malia palace, a 5-story red stone structure on the shore. The final destination is interpreted as Amnissos, the port for Knossos, based on the substantial ships and the grey "Theatral Area" steps leading to the palace.

The procession of ships consists of six large ships with varying numbers of oars, ranging from 36 to 46, and a couple of smaller ships, including a sailing ship. The large ships have long bowsprits with sunflower emblems, while the sailing ship is decorated with birds in flight. The passengers on the ships are wearing coloured clothing, and the hulls are adorned with lions and dolphins.

The Ship Procession Fresco has been the subject of various interpretations, including military invasion, religious procession, and celebration of good relations. The accuracy of the ship depictions provides valuable insights into Minoan maritime capabilities and practices during the Bronze Age.

Fresco boat artwork: Buon fresco

The Ship Procession Fresco, discovered in Akrotiri on the Aegean island of Thera (modern-day Santorini), is an example of a Buon fresco. This ancient artwork, dating back to around 1600 BCE, offers a glimpse into the Bronze Age town of Akrotiri, which was destroyed by a volcanic eruption. The eruption preserved the frescoes adorning the walls of the town's buildings, providing valuable insights into the lives of its inhabitants.

Buon fresco, or "true fresco," is a painting technique where alkaline-resistant pigments, ground in water, are applied to wet plaster. This method ensures that the pigments fuse with the damp plaster, becoming an integral part of the wall surface. The durability of buon fresco is its defining advantage, as the colours become a part of the wall itself and do not flake off over time, as is the case with other techniques like fresco-secco.

The process of creating a buon fresco involves several steps. First, the wall is prepared with three successive coats of plaster, sand, and sometimes marble dust. The first coat, known as the scratch coat, has the highest ratio of aggregate to lime. It is followed by the arriccio or brown coat, which has a higher proportion of lime. This coat serves as the base for a brushed outline drawing of the composition, known as the sinopia.

The artist then defines the number of giornate, or the amount of work that can be completed in a day, as the plaster needs to be worked on while it is still fresh. The painting process starts at the top of the composition, with each giornata's intonaco, or finished coat, applied over the arriccio. The corresponding part of the design is then transferred to the wall, either by pouncing through holes in the cartoon (a full-size drawing of the design) or by tracing with a stylus.

The painting itself is done with pigments adapted for fresco and water, with each artist employing their own techniques. The process must be completed swiftly, as the plaster dries within a day, and any mistakes require chipping off the plaster to start again. This sense of urgency lends a bold and confident touch to the artwork.

The Ship Procession Fresco in Akrotiri is a remarkable example of this technique. It depicts a procession of ships travelling between two towns, with the best-preserved boat showing 20 oars and an estimated length of 35-49 metres. The fresco has sparked discussions among archaeologists about life in the Aegean Bronze Age and the influence of the Minoans on the people of Akrotiri.

Fresco boat location: Akrotiri, Santorini

The Ship Fresco from Akrotiri, also known as the Ship Progression Fresco, is a 6-metre-long ancient Greek fresco discovered in the Bronze Age town of Akrotiri on the island of Thera, now Santorini. The fresco was found in Room 5 of the West House and is currently housed in the Museum of Prehistoric Thera on the island of Santorini.

Akrotiri was a Bronze Age town destroyed by a volcano in Santorini around the 16th century BCE. The volcanic ash preserved the buildings, streets, drainage systems, and numerous frescoes on the walls, just like in Pompeii 16 centuries later. The difference is that Akrotiri was evacuated in an orderly fashion before the eruption.

The Ship Fresco from Akrotiri depicts a detailed procession of ships and provides valuable insights into Bronze Age shipbuilding, clothing, jewellery, and architecture. It is not just a work of art but a vivid gateway to understanding the ancient world. The fresco includes a variety of details such as the rigging and steering systems of the ships, displaying the Minoans' advanced knowledge of shipbuilding. Each ship carries a different cargo, hinting at the diversity of goods transported in the Minoan trading network. The fresco also depicts people, fish, dolphins, and birds, demonstrating Minoan art's focus on nature and marine life.

The high degree of detail in the fresco provides valuable insight into Minoan seafaring activities and trade. The individuals portrayed in the fresco seem to be taking part in a journey or a ritual voyage, suggesting cultural or religious implications. The fresco serves as a touchstone for understanding the beliefs, customs, and daily life practices of an advanced civilization that thrived thousands of years ago.

The fresco is not just an eye-catching painting but a vibrant storybook of Minoan life and culture. Seafaring was a significant part of ancient Greek society, especially for the Minoans. It wasn't just a means of transport but a way of life, deeply rooted in their culture. The fresco, in all its grandeur, is a testament to that.

Fresco boat significance: Minoan thalassocracy

The Ship Progression Fresco, discovered in Akrotiri, depicts a fleet of ships travelling from one town to another. The fresco is thought to have been painted in the Bronze Age, between 2000 and 1500 BCE. It is considered significant in understanding the Minoan thalassocracy, or sea power.

The Minoan thalassocracy refers to the idea that the Minoans, an ancient Bronze Age civilization native to the island of Crete, ruled over the seas and established the first maritime empire. This idea is supported by the ancient Greek historian Thucydides, who wrote that Minos, the first king of Crete and son of Zeus, "was the first person to organize a navy" and "controlled the greater part of what is now called the Hellenic (or Aegean) Sea". Thucydides also notes that Minos "ruled over the Cyclades" and put down piracy to secure his revenues.

The Ship Progression Fresco from Akrotiri provides evidence of Minoan sea power. The fresco depicts large ships, estimated to be between 35 and 49 metres long, with up to 46 oars. This contradicts earlier depictions of Minoan ships, which were thought to be too small to maintain power at sea and engage in long-distance trade. The Akrotiri fresco suggests that the Minoans had impressive seafaring capabilities, with ships comparable in size to the later Viking longboats.

The discovery of the Akrotiri fresco challenged the Classical school of thought in Minoan studies, which argued that the Cretans only ruled over parts of the Southern Cyclades, Kythera, Karpathos, and Crete itself. Instead, the Pan-Minoist school gained traction, suggesting that the Minoans dominated the entire Aegean Sea and had colonies beyond it.

In addition to the Akrotiri fresco, other pieces of evidence support the idea of a Minoan thalassocracy. For example, Minoan seals and frescoes depict ships with 15 oars on each side and square sails, estimated to be about 50 feet in length. The discovery of the first Minoan shipwreck by archaeologist Elpida Hadjidaki also provided insights into their maritime capabilities. The shipwreck contained ceramic vessels, including amphoras and large jars, suggesting that the Minoans engaged in trade and transported goods by sea.

While the concept of a Minoan thalassocracy is debated, with some arguing for cultural and economic influence rather than direct political control, the available evidence suggests that the Minoans were skilled seafarers with impressive ships and an extensive trade network.

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