Belly Amphora by the Andokides Painter (Munich 2301)
Encyclopedia
The Belly Amphora by the Andokides Painter
in the Staatliche Antikensammlungen
at Munich
(inventory number 2301) is one of the most famous works of the artist in question. As a bilingual vase, it is an important archaeological source regarding the transition from attic black-figure pottery
to the red-figure style
. It is signed by the potter Andokides
, who probably made it.
is generally considered as the inventor of the red-figure style of Greek vase painting. Red-figure was an inversion of the hitherto common black-figure style. In the initial phase of red-figure painting, both variants were used side-by-side. In some cases, like the belly amphora (see Typology of Greek Vase Shapes
) described here, both styles were used in separate panels on the front and back of the same vase. What is special about the amphora in question is that both sides depict the same motif in the two different techniques. Thus, both styles can be compared exemplarily. The scenes depict the most important hero of Greek mythology
, Heracles
. He is depicted drinking while reclining on a kline (couch).
On the black-figure side, he is shown lying in a flat position, holding a drinking cup (kantharos
) in his right hand. His gaze is directed at the goddess Athena
, standing in front of him. Behind her is Hermes
, wearing winged sandals and a hat, followed by a nude servant, depicted slightly smaller, who is manipulating a large wine-mixing vessel (dinos
). In front of the couch, there is a low table with meat, cake and a kylix
. In the background, a vine frames the scene between the hero and the deities. Above Heracles, his weapons are suspended (or floating).
The red-figure side differs from the black-figure one in a few regards, but generally achieves a different level of artistic illustration. The servant and the herald god Hermes are absent, as are the weapons. Here, too, the scene is framed by vines, but in this case they do not simply grow from the ground but wind upwards. Heracles is depicted not simply lying flat, but with his upper body raised from the couch. One of his hands is holding his knee. The two figures are more isolated than on the other scene. Generally, the composition appears much calmer and more appropriate to encounter between the two important figures. The kantharos is depicted in black, as it is on the reverse, and thus gains importance by being much more striking than there. Athena is handing Heracles a half-opened flower. The elaborate internal detail renders their clothing much more rich in appearance than on the other side.
The amphora exemplifies the artistic superiority of the red-figure style. The technique offers the painter new and much wider possibilities. Depictions become more detailed.
The vase, measuring 53.5 cm in height and up to 22.5 cm in diameter dates to between 520 and 510 BC. It was discovered in Vulci. Some scholars assume that the black-figure side was painted by the Lysippides Painter, while others suggest that he is identical with the Andokides Painter.
Andokides Painter
The Andokides painter was an ancient Athenian vase painter who was active from 530 to approximately 515 BCE. His work is unsigned; he is named after Andokides, the potter for whom he worked. He is believed to be the inventor of the red figure style of vase painting.-Beginnings of his art:The...
in the Staatliche Antikensammlungen
Staatliche Antikensammlungen
The Staatliche Antikensammlungen in the Kunstareal of Munich is a museum for the Bavarian state's antique collections for Greek, Etruscan and Roman art. The Bavarian state collection of Ancient Egyptian art is traditionally placed in its own museum...
at Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
(inventory number 2301) is one of the most famous works of the artist in question. As a bilingual vase, it is an important archaeological source regarding the transition from attic black-figure pottery
Black-figure pottery
Black-figure pottery painting, also known as the black-figure style or black-figure ceramic is one of the most modern styles for adorning antique Greek vases. It was especially common between the 7th and 5th centuries BC, although there are specimens dating as late as the 2nd century BC...
to the red-figure style
Red-figure pottery
Red-figure vase painting is one of the most important styles of figural Greek vase painting. It developed in Athens around 530 BC and remained in use until the late 3rd century BC. It replaced the previously dominant style of Black-figure vase painting within a few decades...
. It is signed by the potter Andokides
Andokides
Andokides was a famous potter of Ancient Greece. The painter of his pots was an anonymous artist, the Andokides painter, who is recognized as the creater of the red-figure style, beginning around 530 BC. His work is compared with Exekias, who was said to have created the most detailed and best...
, who probably made it.
Description
The Andokides PainterAndokides Painter
The Andokides painter was an ancient Athenian vase painter who was active from 530 to approximately 515 BCE. His work is unsigned; he is named after Andokides, the potter for whom he worked. He is believed to be the inventor of the red figure style of vase painting.-Beginnings of his art:The...
is generally considered as the inventor of the red-figure style of Greek vase painting. Red-figure was an inversion of the hitherto common black-figure style. In the initial phase of red-figure painting, both variants were used side-by-side. In some cases, like the belly amphora (see Typology of Greek Vase Shapes
Typology of Greek Vase Shapes
Pottery in Greece has a long history and the form of Greek Vase Shapes has had a continuous evolution from the Minoan period down to the Hellenistic era...
) described here, both styles were used in separate panels on the front and back of the same vase. What is special about the amphora in question is that both sides depict the same motif in the two different techniques. Thus, both styles can be compared exemplarily. The scenes depict the most important hero of Greek mythology
Greek mythology
Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece...
, Heracles
Heracles
Heracles ,born Alcaeus or Alcides , was a divine hero in Greek mythology, the son of Zeus and Alcmene, foster son of Amphitryon and great-grandson of Perseus...
. He is depicted drinking while reclining on a kline (couch).
On the black-figure side, he is shown lying in a flat position, holding a drinking cup (kantharos
Kantharos
A kantharos or cantharus is a type of Greek pottery used for drinking. It is characterized by its high swung handles which extend above the lip of the pot.The god Dionysus had a kantharos which was never empty....
) in his right hand. His gaze is directed at the goddess Athena
Athena
In Greek mythology, Athena, Athenê, or Athene , also referred to as Pallas Athena/Athene , is the goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, warfare, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts, justice, and skill. Minerva, Athena's Roman incarnation, embodies similar attributes. Athena is...
, standing in front of him. Behind her is Hermes
Hermes
Hermes is the great messenger of the gods in Greek mythology and a guide to the Underworld. Hermes was born on Mount Kyllini in Arcadia. An Olympian god, he is also the patron of boundaries and of the travelers who cross them, of shepherds and cowherds, of the cunning of thieves, of orators and...
, wearing winged sandals and a hat, followed by a nude servant, depicted slightly smaller, who is manipulating a large wine-mixing vessel (dinos
Dinos
In the typology of ancient Greek pottery, the dinos is a mixing bowl. Dinos means "drinking cup," but in modern typology is used for the same shape as a lebes, that is, a bowl with a spherical body meant to sit on a stand...
). In front of the couch, there is a low table with meat, cake and a kylix
Kylix (drinking cup)
A kylix is a type of wine-drinking glass with a broad relatively shallow body raised on a stem from a foot and usually with two horizontal handles disposed symmetrically...
. In the background, a vine frames the scene between the hero and the deities. Above Heracles, his weapons are suspended (or floating).
The red-figure side differs from the black-figure one in a few regards, but generally achieves a different level of artistic illustration. The servant and the herald god Hermes are absent, as are the weapons. Here, too, the scene is framed by vines, but in this case they do not simply grow from the ground but wind upwards. Heracles is depicted not simply lying flat, but with his upper body raised from the couch. One of his hands is holding his knee. The two figures are more isolated than on the other scene. Generally, the composition appears much calmer and more appropriate to encounter between the two important figures. The kantharos is depicted in black, as it is on the reverse, and thus gains importance by being much more striking than there. Athena is handing Heracles a half-opened flower. The elaborate internal detail renders their clothing much more rich in appearance than on the other side.
The amphora exemplifies the artistic superiority of the red-figure style. The technique offers the painter new and much wider possibilities. Depictions become more detailed.
The vase, measuring 53.5 cm in height and up to 22.5 cm in diameter dates to between 520 and 510 BC. It was discovered in Vulci. Some scholars assume that the black-figure side was painted by the Lysippides Painter, while others suggest that he is identical with the Andokides Painter.
See also
- Red-figure potteryRed-figure potteryRed-figure vase painting is one of the most important styles of figural Greek vase painting. It developed in Athens around 530 BC and remained in use until the late 3rd century BC. It replaced the previously dominant style of Black-figure vase painting within a few decades...
- Black-figure potteryBlack-figure potteryBlack-figure pottery painting, also known as the black-figure style or black-figure ceramic is one of the most modern styles for adorning antique Greek vases. It was especially common between the 7th and 5th centuries BC, although there are specimens dating as late as the 2nd century BC...
- Pottery of ancient GreecePottery of Ancient GreeceAs the result of its relative durability, pottery is a large part of the archaeological record of Ancient Greece, and because there is so much of it it has exerted a disproportionately large influence on our understanding of Greek society...
- Art in ancient GreeceArt in Ancient GreeceThe arts of ancient Greece have exercised an enormous influence on the culture of many countries all over the world, particularly in the areas of sculpture and architecture. In the West, the art of the Roman Empire was largely derived from Greek models...
Literature
- Michael Siebler: Griechische Kunst, Taschen, Köln u.a. 2007, p. 46f. ISBN 978-3-8228-5447-1