Ancient artwork held a showcase in the Sims Memorial Library on Thursday, Jan. 27 as part of the ongoing “Let’s Talk Art” series co-sponsored by the department of fine and performing arts, the Friends of Sims Library and the Hammond Regional Arts Center.

Rachel Carazo, a senior majoring in sociology, French, English and political science, presented her research paper on the Minoan frescoes of Crete and Akrotiri to a small audience that evening. The paper was an assignment for her Art 340 class, which centered upon Greek and Roman artwork.

The artists featured were the Minoans, a Bronze Age civilization that existed from about 3000 B.C. to 1100 B.C. primarily on the island of Crete. Around 1600 B.C., the civilization peaked and, according to Carazo, this meant big things for Minoan art, in particular, their seals, pottery and frescoes. In 1500 B.C., the artwork became more widespread as the Minoan civilization spread to the mainland of Greece where it held a large influence over the Mycenaean civilization, the people that would soon produce the Ancient Greeks.

The majority of Carazo’s presentation centered upon the Minoan frescoes. Frescoes are paintings of water-based paint applied to large, plastered surfaces such as walls.

The colors are made from crushed pigments, which, according to Carazo, have proven to be very durable. It is these pigments that give the frescoes their characteristic matte finish.

During the Minoan peak, a large volcano roughly 70 miles north of Crete on the island of Santorini erupted. The volcano spewed ash over much of the Aegean world. As in other famous cities, notably Pompeii of Italy, the ash acted as a preservative and shielded the art of nearby Akrotiri from the ravages of time and erosion.

Famous Minoan frescoes include the Saffron Gather, the House of the Ladies and the Spring Fresco. All of these scenes present the academic world with depictions of the Minoan way of life.

Although the facts gleaned from these works are at times large portrayals of a bygone civilization, often times, they offer a more subtle representation, such as the presence of a native bird that has long since left the region, or of Minoan ceremonial robes.

The frescoes have lead to many points of academic debate. However, according to Carazo, the most widely debated fresco is that of the flotilla scene at West House. Found within the mural are vivid ships, sailors, soldiers and aquatic life.

The debate over this fresco is based upon the nature of the image, whether it is a peacetime or wartime representation. Although different interpretations lend credence to each side of the debate, in Carazo’s opinion, the scene is one depicting a peaceful nation.

“There are the shepherds and the animals in the scene; they don’t seem really afraid. Like the women carrying water, they’re not running. So, maybe they’re not being attacked,” said Carazo.

Carazo concluded her presentation to applause throughout the room.

When asked why she had chosen the frescoes for her paper, Carazo replied enthusiastically.

“I’ve always liked ancient history and coupled with artwork,” said Carazo. “I actually wanted to do research on it.”

Carazo was not the only person present that found the art and history to be a fascinating combination.

“I think that this is a great opportunity for students to expose themselves to the art,” said Cayla Johnson, a visual art major in attendance. “I liked it.”