Black Figure Pots

Gorgons Pursuing Perseus, Sophilos dinos, Francois vase, Dionysus and the Maenads, Achilles and Ajax Playing Dice, Dionysus Sailing on the Ocean, Hercules Feasting bilingual vase

When was the Gorgons Pursuing Perseus pot made?

600-580 BCE

Who painted the Gorgons Pursuing Perseus pot?

the Gorgon Painter

What type of pot is the Gorgons Pursuing Perseus pot?

dinos and stand

What would the Gorgons Pursuing Perseus pot have been used for?

a mixing bowl for diluting wine

How many friezes are there on the Gorgons Pursuing Perseus pot, including the stand?

14

Where is the narrative frieze on the Gorgons Pursuing Perseus pot?

at the top of the dinos

What is the central focus of the Gorgons Pursuing Perseus pot?

the two gorgons in pursuit

Is there much compositional symmetry on the Gorgons Pursuing Perseus pot?

no

What scene is depicted by the Gorgons Pursuing Perseus pot?

Perseus fleeing Medusa’s sisters after killing her

What are the names of the gorgons?

Medusa, Stheno, and Euryale

Which gods are watching in the Gorgons Pursuing Perseus pot?

Hermes and Athena

When was the Sophilos dinos made?

580-570 BCE

Who painted the Sophilos dinos?

Sophilos

How many friezes are there on the Sophilos dinos, including the stand?

9

Where is the narrative frieze on the Sophilos dinos?

at the top of the dinos

Is there compositional symmetry in the Sophilos dinos?

yes, through the figures’ waists

What scene is depicted on the Sophilos dinos?

the wedding of Peleus and Thetis

When was the Francois vase made?

c. 570 BCE

Who made the Francois vase?

Kleitias

What type of pot is the Francois vase?

volute krater

What would the Francois vase have been used for?

mixing bowl for diluting wine

How many friezes are there on the Francois vase?

14

What are the four stories on side A of the Francois vase?

Calydonian Board hunt, chariot race at Patroclus’ funeral games, wedding of Peleus and Thetis, death of Troilus

What are the four stories on side B of the Francois Vase

return of Theseus, Centauromachy, wedding of Peleus and Thetis, return of Hephaistos

What is depicted on the handles of the Francois vase?

gorgon, Artemis with wild animals, Ajax carrying Achilles

When was the Dionysus and the Maenads amphora made?

550-530 BCE

Who painted the Dionysus and the Maenads amphora?

the Amasis painter

What type of pot is the Dionysus and the Maenads amphora?

neck amphora

What would the Dionysus and the Maenads amphora have been used for?

wine storage

Is there compositional symmetry in the Dionysus and the Maenads amphora?

yes, all the characters are facing inwards

Where is the main narrative frieze on the Dionysus and Maenads amphora?

across the majority of the belly of the pot

Who is depicted on the Dionysus and the Maenads amphora?

Dionysus and two maenads on the front, Athena and Poseidon on the reverse

What story is depicted in the Dionysus and the Maenads pot?

two maenads, ritually maddened female worshippers of Dionysus, offer the god a hare and fawn they have killed

When was the Achilles and Ajax playing dice amphora made?

540-530 BCE

Who made the Achilles and Ajax Playing Dice amphora?

Exekias

What type of pot is the Achilles and Ajax Playing Dice amphora?

belly amphora

What would the Achilles and Ajax Playing Dice amphora have been used for?

wine storage

Where is the narrative frieze located on the Achilles and Ajax Playing Dice amphora?

across the shoulder and top of the belly of the pot

Is there compositional symmetry in the Achilles and Ajax Playing Dice amphora?

yes, in the spears and poses

What is the story of the Achilles and Ajax Playing Dice amphora?

during the Trojan War, Achilles and Ajax pause to play a dice game

What characters are depicted on the Achilles and Ajax Playing Dice amphora?

Achilles and Ajax on the front, Castor, Pollux, Leda, Tyndareus, and a slave on the reverse

When was the Dionysus Sailing on the Ocean cup made?

540-530 BCE

Who made the Dionysus Sailing on the Ocean cup?

Exekias

What type of pot is the Dionysus Sailing on the Ocean cup?

kylix

What would the Dionysus Sailing on the Ocean cup have been used for?

drinking cup

What form of art is the interior of the cup?

tondo

Is there compositional symmetry in the Dionysus Sailing on the Ocean cup?

yes, in the dolphins and in the warriors around the handles

What is the story in the Dionysus Sailing on the Ocean cup?

Dionysus was kidnapped by pirates, but turned the sea to wine and the sailors into dolphins

Who is depicted on the Dionysus Sailing on the Ocean cup?

Dionysus on the interior, Patroclus with Greek and Trojan warriors on the exterior

When was the Dionysus/Herakles feasting in the presence of Athena pot made?

530 - 515 BCE

Who made the Dionysus/Herakles feasting in the presence of Athena pot?

the Anodikes painter

What type of pot is the Dionysus/Herakles feasting in the presence of Athena pot?

belly amphora

Is there compositional symmetry in the Dionysus/Herakles feasting in the presence of Athena pot?

some, between Athena and Hermes’ waists and the surface of the couch

How does the figure of Athena break the composition?

her helmet and spear protrude through the pattern border

Who is depicted on the Dionysus/Herakles feasting in the presence of Athena pot?

Dionysus/Herakles, Hermes, Athena, and a slave