The Malkata paintings: Egyptian Art with a Minoan flavour? A new perspective on the paintings of the palace of Amenhotep III and its Aegean connections

Abstract

Our study will focus on the paintings found on the palace of Amenophis III at the site of Malkata, analyzing their iconography which includes traditional Egyptian themes and also new elements which reflect the influence of Aegean Art such as geometric and spirals decoration, animals rendered in “flying gallop” and symbols like the bull head with a rosette between its horns. We will trace the origin of these symbols, looking for similar examples on the iconography of Egypt, the Aegean and the Near East, analyzing the means of transmission as well. The paintings unearthed at Tell el Dab’a (Avaris) in a palace of the early XVIII Dynasty, with remarkable Aegean style and technique, will prove to be an important connection and a possible direct influence for the Malkata paintings.