The Achilles Painter Lekythos Name The Achilles Painter
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The Achilles Painter Lekythos
• • • Name: The Achilles Painter Lekythos When made: 450 -440 BC Size: 38. 4 cm Potter: Unknown Painter: The Achilles Painter
• The painter never signed his name to his vases • Got his name from another vase he painted where Achilles was a key subject that has stylistic similarities. • Student of the Berlin Painter, he took over the Berlin Painter workshops
• His white ground Lekythoi were of high standard • Many simple, balanced, two-figure compositions • Considered the most "classical" of all vase -painters of the classical period in the mid 5 th century.
• Vase shape: Lekythos • Use: Funerary vase used for storing oils • Much narrower shape then Amasis ovoid lekythos.
Inscription • Found between the two figures • Kalos inscription (love inscription) • It says “Axiophates, the son of Alkimachos, is handsome” • Inscription has nothing to do with the decoration of the vase • It was a common way to graffiti vases in this way
The Scene • Non-funerary scene but it is probable that she is preparing to visit a tomb • Woman and her maid servant that is holding a grey painted casket. • Behind them a lekythos and mantle hang on the wall which is an indication that the scene is indoors • Woman directs maid – see hand movement
Woman • She is wearing a loose fitting yellow sleeved chiton (one piece garment belted around the waist) and red himation (large cloak) • Hand directing maidservant • Woman stands feet frontal, but turning to look at the maidservant • Much more realistic stance then in previous vases.
Maidservant • Clothing appears to be transparent
Painting Technique • White Ground • Mainly used for funerary vases as these were buried and the decorations were more fragile. • Chalky white slip (kaolin) was painted over the leather hard clay which gave the vase its white background • Outline of figures painted in dilute honey coloured glaze before firing • Brighter colours of clothing were added after firing as they were not derived from the glaze and meant it couldn’t be fired • Colours added after firing were not as durable. Hence the servants clothes appear to be transparent.
Borders • Stopped Meander found directly above the scene • Schematic palmette on shouder of the vase
Painting Style • Pupils of eyes look in the direction that the body faces • They have long necks • Faces are calm and expressionless, elegantly executed • Faces are said to appear sculptured rather than painted • They make few gestures. The woman directs her maid with her hand • Inspired by sculptre of the period
• Maid stands in profile • Woman stands in frontal view with her face looking to the side to her servant • Figures are slender • Drapery a lot less detailed than the Penthesileia Painter Pyxis • The woman's feet are frontal, effective foreshortening
• Quiz: http: //classics. orconhosting. net. nz/flin gteacher/achillespainterflash. html