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Building Complex Delta
Room Delta 2,
South wall, H. 2.50 / W. 2.22 m
West wall, H. 2.50 / W. 2.60 m
North wall, H. 2.50 / W. 1.88 m
These three wall-paintings, named the ‘Spring Fresco’, were located in room Delta 2, and extended along the southern, western, and northern walls. Painted with a variety of colours is a rocky landscape; within that landscape two motifs prevail: blossoming lilies and swallows.
Scholars have offered two separate identifications of the lilies represented. The first suggestion is that of sea-lilies (Pancratium Maritimum L.), which still grow on the beach and seaside of Santorini, blooming in late summer. While these lilies are white, the artist may have used red in order to create a contrast between the lily and the white background. Another more plausible interpretation is that the lily species depicted is the Lilium Chalcedonicum. Lilium Chalcedonicum has characteristic red petals with leaves that overlap like roofing tiles, oppressing the stem. This red lily is found in Greece, in the Aegean and the Ionian islands.
Two pairs of swallows are depicted, making seven in total. These swallows have been identified as Hirundo Rustica. This motif is unique to Theran art. Romantics have misinterpreted the pair of swallows motif as representative of kissing birds. Instead, ornithologists suggest that the two swallows engaging each other beak-on-beak are probably males, sparring for dominance. These highly stylized swallows have been gracefully rendered with long forked tails and swept back wings. The artist’s skill in capturing the movement of these nimble birds is exceptional and could only have been derived from an extensive study of the subject matter. However, the artist’s rendition of loops at the end of the swallows’ tails is not accurate.
