Cycladic Art and the Female Form

Cycladic art refers to an ancient artistic style of figures and decorations that were produced on the Cyclades, a 30 small islands off the coast of Greece in the Aegan Sea. The Cycladic culture flourished during the early Bronze age and its art work was quite distinct from any other culture of that time period. These island dwellers incorporated artistic motifs into many everyday objects, but it was their interpretation of the human body and in particular, the female form, that defined "Cycladic art."

Fine, white marble was readily available on the Cyclade islands. This afforded the Cycladic people with an exceptional medium with which to create figures and statues. 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.

Cycladic art reached its zenith in the period from 2800-2300 BC, known as the Early Cycladic II period. This period defined the "canonical Cycladic art" characterized by the nude female figures, 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.

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 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.