Black Figure Pots

Who was the painter of the Gorgons Pursuing Perseus Dinos?

Who was the painter of the Gorgons Pursuing Perseus Dinos?

The Gorgon Painter

When was the Gorgons Pursuing Perseus Dinos created?

600-580 BC

How many friezes appear on the Gorgons Pursuing Perseus Dinos?

12 (1 main frieze)

What scene is depicted on the first frieze of the Gorgons Pursuing Perseus Dinos?

Perseus being pursued by the gorgons with Hermes and Athene behind them, carrying Medusa's head

What are the names of the gorgons chasing Perseus on the Gorgons Pursuing Perseus Dinos?

Stheno (Meaning mighty or strong)and Euryale (Meaning the Far Springer)

Why may the Gorgons' faces be frontal whilst their bodies are profile on the Gorgons Pursuing Perseus Dinos?

To showcase how ugly/monstrous they are

Give three details of the Gorgons (Stheno and Euryale) on the Gorgons Pursuing Perseus Dinos?

Phallic noses, Intricate patterns of feathers, Detailed teeth and tongue

Give three details of Perseus on the Gorgons Pursuing Perseus Dinos?

Wearing Hermes' winged boots His sword appears to be stabbing him, yet it an attempt at perspective Intricate detailed hems

Give three details of the gods (Hermes and Athene) on the Gorgons Pursuing Perseus Dinos?

Athene is holding a bag containing Medusa's head, Hermes is holding his caduceus, Their eyes are imbedded into their noses due to artistic limitations of ability

What scene is depicted on the other side of the Gorgons Pursuing Perseus Dinos?

A battle scene between two soldiers

How are thee two scenes split up on the Gorgons Pursuing Perseus Dinos?

Use of horse-drawn chariots

What appears below the main frieze on the Gorgons Pursuing Perseus Dinos, and what could this be an example of?

Floral palmettes, Orientalisation

What appears below the floral palmettes frieze on the Gorgons Pursuing Perseus Dinos?

A parade of animals (Lions, hogs, pumas, cattles and potentially harpies)

Why is the Gorgons Pursuing Perseus Dinos important?

It showed the transition into telling narratives on pots as opposed to just geometric patterns

How do scholars interpret the Gorgons Pursuing Perseus Dinos?

Woodford describes the pot as "A combination of elegant execution with vivid narration on a monumental scale"

What type of pot is the Gorgons Pursuing Perseus Dinos, and what art style does it use?

Dinos & Stand, Black figure

When was the Wedding of Peleus and Thetis Dinos created?

580-570 BC

What type of pot is the Wedding of Peleus and Thetis Dinos and what art style does it use?

Dinos & Stand, Black figure

How many friezes appear on the Wedding of Peleus and Thetis Dinos?

8 (1 main frieze)

What scene is depicted on the main frieze of the Wedding of Peleus and Thetis Dinos?

Wedding of Peleus and Thetis

Who painted the Wedding of Peleus and Thetis Dinos?

Sophilos

How do we know that Sophilos painted the Wedding of Peleus and Thetis Dinos?

An inscription stated "Sophilos painted me"

How does the main frieze separate the beginning of the procession to Peleus and Thetis' wedding from the end on the Wedding of Peleus and Thetis Dinos?

Peleus' house

Give three details of Peleus on the Wedding of Peleus and Thetis Dinos?

He is holding a kantharos, He has a scalloped fringe, Patterned hems

Who is leading the procession on the Wedding of Peleus and Thetis Dinos?

Iris

Give six details of the procession on the Wedding of Peleus and Thetis Dinos?

Oceanus has a large tail that has an intricate border, Apollo is shown singing with a speech 'bubble' next to his mouth, The women have white skin whereas the men have black (Women were supposed to stay indoors and men worked outside), Different colours of horses (Black & white), Dionysus is holding a grapevine (A symbol of his), Chiron has an impossible twist since his back is twisted too far

What appears in the lowers friezes of the Wedding of Peleus and Thetis Dinos?

Floral palmettes, Cattle parading, Harpies, Meandering patterns

How do scholars interpret the Wedding of Peleus and Thetis Dinos?

Woodford describes it as "Rather careless" when discussing the use of animals and monsters on the lower friezes, Boardman states that "Sophilos' style is ambitious, lively but rather precise"

When was the François Vase created?

570 BC

What type of pot is the François Vase and what art style did it use?

Volute Krater, Black figure

How many friezes appear on the François Vase?

5 friezes yet 8 scenes

Who painted the François Vase?

Kleitias

How many figures appear on the François Vase, and how many are labelled?

Over 270 figures, 121 annotated names

What is remarkable about the François Vase?

Depicts multiple scenes over multiple friezes, Depicts architecture

What are the 8 scenes that appear on the François Vase?

Meleager and the Calydonian boar, The return of Theseus after killing the Minotaur, Funeral games for Patroclus, Battle between the Centaurs and Lapiths, The wedding of Peleus and Thetis, Hephaistos' return to Olympus, The story of Troilus, The battle of Pygmies and Cranes

What is the context of Meleager and the Calydonian boar on the François Vase?

The Calydonian boar had been sent by Artemis to ravage the region of Calydon after the king Oeneus failed to respect her in his rites to the gods. The boar was firstly wounded by Atalanta (A woman) and therefore she won its hide, upsetting many men.

What is the main focus of the frieze depicting Meleager and the Calydonian boar on the François Vase?

The boar

Is there compositional symmetry on the frieze depicting the Calydonian boar on the François Vase?

Yes

Give 5 details of the frieze depicting the Calydonian boar on the François Vase?

Incisions are made to depict the boar's fine hair, The boar's muscles are well-defined, Peleus and Meleager are shown beside one another -this is a successful attempt at perspective, The majority of the boar is black to showcase its massiveness, Peleus and Meleager's eyes are imbedded in their noses

What is the context of the Return of Theseus on the François Vase?

Theseus had previously went to Crete to slay the Minotaur that had been killing Athenian youths that acted as sacrifices, the scene depicts Theseus and the youths returning to Athens after escaping Crete.

What is the central focus of the Return of Theseus on the François Vase?

The boat carrying the youths

Does the Return of Theseus frieze on the François Vase?

No

Give 5 details of the Return of Theseus frieze on the François Vase?

The boat's banister has an intricate pattern

What is the context of the Funeral games of Patroclus on the François Vase?

Achilles held funeral games in honour of Patroclus and to release tension between Achilles and Agamemnon in Homer's Iliad

What is the main focus of the frieze depicted the Funeral games of Patroclus on the François Vase?

The horses

Is there compositional symmetry on the frieze depicted the Funeral games of Patroclus on the François Vase?

Yes

Give 5 details of the frieze depicting the Funeral games of Patroclus on the François Vase?

The horses are mostly black to dictate their size and strength, A tripod is shown behind the horses, tripods were usually won in chariot racing competitions, The horses have intricate manes made by incisions, Diomedes is shown whipping his horse, All the horses have horizontal symmetry

What is the context of the frieze depicting the Centauromachy on the François Vase?

The Centauromachy was a fight between the barbaric Centaurs and the civilised Lapiths, in the end, the Lapiths ousted the Centaurs from the wedding of Pirithous and Hippodamia.

What is the main focus of the frieze depicting the Centauromachy on the François Vase?

Theseus joining the fight against the Centaurs

Is there compositional symmetry on the frieze depicting the Centauromachy on the François Vase?

Yes

Give 3 details of the Centauromachy frieze on the François Vase?

The plume of Theseus’ helmet has fine incisions to create the idea of feathers, The Centaurs' lower halves contrast with the thinner frames of the Lapiths and Theseus, A Centaur is shown with a comically large hole in his torso that has been created by an arrow

What is the context of the wedding of Peleus and Thetis on the François Vase?

Peleus married the sea-nymph Thetis, all the gods were invited except for Eris, the goddess of discord, resulting in the apple discourse that led to the Trojan War

What is the main focus of the frieze depicting the wedding of Peleus and Thetis on the François Vase?

Peleus greeting his guests

Does the frieze depicting the wedding of Peleus and Thetis on the François Vase have compositional symmetry?

No

How is the parade of wedding guests on the frieze depicting the wedding of Peleus and Thetis on the François Vase separate its beginning from its ending?

Peleus is stood next to a building, on the other side of it, the parade starts

Give 6 details of the frieze depicting the wedding of Peleus and Thetis on the François Vase?

Zeus is holding his thunderbolt (His preferred weapon and symbol), Urania and Calliope (Muses) are playing pan flutes, symbolising their positions as goddesses of the arts (e.g music), Polychromy of horses (Black and white), Attempted perspective of a chariot, yet it appears as if the chariots only have one wheel, Peleus' head isn't proportional to the rest of his body, Horses' muscles are defined via incisions

What is the context of the Story of Troilus on the François Vase?

A prophecy said that Troy would fall if Troilus died before reaching maturity, the scene depicts Achilles chasing after a horse-riding Troilus.

What is the central focus of the frieze depicting the Story of Troilus on the François Vase?

Achilles chasing after Troilus

Does the frieze depicting the Story of Troilus on the François Vase have compositional symmetry?

Yes

Give 3 details of the frieze depicting the Story of Troilus on the François Vase?

Achilles legs are outstretched in a sprinting position as he chases after Troilus, Hermes is depicted with a caduceus (A symbol of his), There is an attempt to showcase perspective with Hector and another soldier waiting behind a door

What is the context of Hephaistos' return to Olympus?

Hephaistos created a golden throne to trap his mother (Hera), he then left and had to be forced to return to release her

What is the main focus of the frieze depicting Hephaistos' return to Olympus on the François Vase?

Hephaistos on the back of a donkey

Is there compositional symmetry on the scene depicting Hephaistos' return to Olympus on the François Vase?

Yes

Give 3 details about the frieze depicting Hephaistos' return to Olympus on the François Vase.

The contrast between the erected Satyrs and the civilised gods, Hera's arms are stuck to the armrests her throne, The Satyrs lustful is shown via their erections

What is depicted on the Volute handles of the François Vase?

Ajax holding Achilles' body after Troy

Is there compositional symmetry on the François Vase's handles?

Yes

Give 4 details about the handles of the François Vase?

The contrast between Achilles' limp body and Ajax's rigid, muscular stance, Achilles' body anfd hair creates an arch over Ajax, Ajax has well-defined thighs, Ajax has an impossible twist and a tiny waist

How do scholars describe the François Vase?

Woodford states that "Kleitias was a master story-teller" and "Translates epic poetry into a visual image", Boardman states "Kleitias draws so much more detail than previous artists"

When was the Dionysus and the Maenads Amphora created?

550-530BC

What type of pot is the Dionysus and the Maenads Amphora and what art style does it use?

Neck Amphora, Black figure

Who created and painted the Dionysus and the Maenads Amphora?

The Amasis Painter

What is the context of the main scene on the Dionysus and the Maenads Amphora?

The maenads were female followers of the god Dionysus who would perform ecstatic and frenzied dances, they supposedly had unusual strength and would be seen ripping apart animals.

What details separate the barbaric maenads from the civilised Dionysus on the Dionysus and the Maenads Amphora?

Dionysus is black, since he is a man, The Maenads wear multiple animal skins, this makes them seem more primal than the god, Dionysus wears less skins and appears more dignified than the women, The women's feet are poised and mid-dance whereas Dionysus is firmly planted on the ground (Less erratic?)

What are the Maenads offering Dionysus on the Dionysus and the Maenads Amphora?

A deer, A hare

What is the Dionysus and the Maenads Amphora a marker of?

The change to only showing one main scene -and a reverse- as opposed to an even split of action friezes and parading cattle and palmettes

What is on the reverse of the Dionysus and the Maenads Amphora?

Poseidon and Athene fighting over Athens

What do scholars say about the Dionysus and the Maenads Amphora?

Woodford describes it as "a decorative delight", Boardman states that the groups are "composed with careful symmetry", Moore highlights that "The movement of The Maenads is contrasted by the stillness of Dionysus’ garment"

When was the Ajax and Achilles Amphora created?

540-530BC

What type of pot is the Ajax and Achilles Amphora and what art style does it use?

Belly Amphora, Black figure

Who created the Ajax and Achilles Amphora?

Exekias

What is a glaring difference of the Ajax and Achilles Amphora from other Archaic vases?

Exekias have coated the amphora with black paint and left some white for the scene

What does the large amount of negative space do to the viewer on the Ajax and Achilles Amphora?

Draws eye to the scene

What game are Ajax and Achilles playing on the Ajax and Achilles Amphora?

Dice

Who is winning the game of dice on the Ajax and Achilles Amphora?

Achilles

What details show that Achilles is winning the game of dice on the Ajax and Achilles Amphora?

Ajax is more hunched over the board, The inscription shows that Achilles rolled a higher number (4/3), Ajax's brow is more furrowed, Ajax is pouting, Achilles is loosely holding his spears whereas Ajax has a firm grip (In frustration?)

What patterns appear on Achilles' cloak on the Ajax and Achilles Amphora?

Meandering hems, Stars, Geometrical spirals, Volutes

What animal head appears on Achilles' shoulder on the Ajax and Achilles Amphora?

A lion's

Does the Ajax and Achilles Amphora have compositional symmetry?

Yes

What is on the reverse of the Ajax and Achilles Amphora?

Dioskouroi returning home

What do scholars say about the Ajax and Achilles Amphora?

Woodford states that "Exekias took care to adjust the elements of his drawing to the shape of the vessel", Woodford also calls Exekias "The finest of all Black figure artists"

When was the Dionysus sailing on the ocean Kylix created?

540-530BC

What type of pot is the Dionysus sailing on the ocean Kylix and what art style does it use?

Kylix, Black figure

Who created the Dionysus sailing on the ocean Kylix?

Exekias

What is the context of the Dionysus sailing on the ocean Kylix?

Dionysus was captured by pirates so he turned the mast of the boat into a grape vine and transformed the pirates into dolphins

What sea-dwelling creatures appear on the Dionysus sailing on the ocean Kylix? – Dolphins, A swan

What stands out about the Dionysus sailing on the ocean Kylix?

The white sail juxtaposes the red and black hues

What happens to the Dionysus sailing on the ocean Kylix once you begin to drink from it?

Dionysus appears to be sailing into/out of the drinkers mouth on the sea of wine

What details show Exekias' skill on the Dionysus sailing on the ocean Kylix?

Fine lines to separate the sail's fabric, Small grapes hanging from the vine, The juxtaposition of the twisted vine and the straight mast

How could one describe Dionysus pose on the Dionysus sailing on the ocean Kylix?

Leisurely

What is painted onto the sides of the Dionysus sailing on the ocean Kylix and what effect does it give?

Eyes, As if the drawn on eyes are the drinkers