Minoan Neopalatial art results in large part from the demands of the elites – those in power, leaders, or officials. The main artworks come from their residences – palaces and villas, the latter taking inspiration from the principles of ‘palatial’ architecture – and from the sanctuaries that are largely controlled by these same elites. Frescoes, ivory or faience statuettes, and relief-decorated stone vases illustrate the ceremonies around which social life took shape.

Was this religious art? Artworks are fundamental to what we know of Minoan religion, albeit only offering testimony that is indirect and implicit. If the theme of ‘epiphany’ is often broached, the divinity herself is rarely represented in an unequivocal manner: one of the few exceptions is the Saffron-Gatherers fresco from Akrotiri, with its enthroned goddess flanked by a griffin.