Palace of Minos

Palace of Minos

ca. 1400 BCE

1847

Fresco of the Bull-leapers

paintings (visual works)

Greece (nation)

Knosós (ancient site)

Late Minoan

frescoes (paintings)

bulls (animals)

View of bull-leaping fresco from the Palace at Knossos in Crete. "The most famous image of bull-leaping is probably the Bull-Leaping Fresco from the palace at Knossos, Crete, Greece. The fresco was painted around 1400 BCE, and depicts a young man performing what appears to be a handspring or flip over a charging bull. Two young women flank the bull. (We know the sexes of the stylized figures by the way they are painted—women’s skin is usually much lighter than men’s in ancient Greek art.) Archaeologists and anthropologists have studied the Bull-Leaping Fresco for centuries. Many say that this form of bull-leaping is purely decorative or metaphorical. Some scholars say the fresco represents a cultural or religious event, and not a display of athletic skill. Others disagree, suggesting a series of maneuvers—including using the bull’s horns for leverage—that would propel an athlete over a bull’s back as shown in the fresco,"--National Geographic Education website.

jpeg

©2013 Lawrence Technological University. These images may be used for personal or educational purposes. They are not available for commercial purposes without the explicit permission of LTU.

A1GRKNO31300BI50A13