Red figure pot: Achilles fighting Hector, Berlin Painter

What type of pot is this?

A Volute Krater

Who painted this pot?

The Berlin Painter

When was this pot made?

490-480 BC (Early 5th century)

What aesthetic features are apart of the pot’s composition?

• The majority of the pot has been painted black which to some is very minimalist and pleasing but it could also be argued that it draws the attention away from the central narrative.

• The figures from the central narrative stand on the shoulder of the pot

• Techne of the intricately drawn geometric meander pattern on the lip and repeating palmettes beneath it

• Intricacy of the ivy pattern on the handles

• Jagged tooth pattern

How is Athene Portrayed?

• She is characterised by her helmet, spear and aegis

• Her hand reaches forward in a gesture of support towards Achilles drawing attention to the central battle e.g. long intricate fingers, curve of her aegis

• Depth seen in the folds of her aegis coming down over her arm

• Transparency over her right leg creates movement and depth

• Billowing aegis flowing behind her

• Pose creates artistic balance with the figure to the right

How is Achilles portrayed?

• Comfortable twist in body through asymmetric pectorals and obliques

• Movement in his action pose e.g. front foot planted, knees bent, bold advance

• Determined facial expression shows emotion e.g. tight lips, alert eyes, set chin

• His sword is clearly placed on his left hip, a sign of techne

How is Hektor portrayed? How can we tell he is loosing?

• Oblique muscles in stomach and pectorals creates a natural twist in the upper torso

• Use of diluted slip in the blood pouring from his chest wound and leg creates a violent and emotive image of war

• The intricate detail of his fingers having a loose grip on his shield contrasts Achilles strong grip

• His rear leg is buckling, his arms are wide open, he on the back foot literally and metaphorically

• He is leaning backwards falling into retreat, he is doomed to die

How is Apollo portrayed?

• He is characterised by his bow and arrow- his figure balances out Athena on the other side

• Blonde hair created through diluted slip

• Depth show through deep folds at the hem of his drapery, it is loose as it wraps around him

• Defined rib cage and pectorals

• Transparency showing his back leg as it stretches against the fabric

• Turning to depart…Hektor is beyond his help

What is significant about Apollos arrow?

His arrow is parallel to Hektor spear → Perhaps a gesture of support→ OR is he showing the arrow to Achilles foreshadowing his death from an arrow shot by Paris but guided by Apollo

What is significant about the narratives composition?

The pot is made up of contrasting diagonals e.g. the diagonals of Hektor and Achilles spears, the diagonal of Athena’s spear and aegis, the diagonal of Apollos arrow

The central focus is where the spear of Achilles touches Hektors which is the only point of contact within the frieze

What scene is depicted on the reverse of the pot?

Achilles versus Memnon with Thetis and Eros (dawn), their mothers

How is Memnon portrayed? How is this different to the portrayal of Hektor?

He is on the offensive which juxtaposes Hektors defensive. He is advancing sword drawn e.g. non vertical spine and shoulder blades, ¾ buttocks

What does Woodford say about this pot?

‘he has used the lip as a field for a virtuoso display of red-figure ornament’

‘The anatomy of figures in action had been mastered

What does Pedley say about this pot?

‘Three-quarter views of faces and feet increase the sense of depth’