🏛️Arts of Classical Greece Unit 9 – High Classical Vase Painting (450-400 BCE)

Historical Context and Timeline

• High Classical period of Ancient Greece spans from 450-400 BCE, marking the peak of Athenian power and cultural achievement
• Follows the Early Classical period (480-450 BCE) and precedes the Late Classical period (400-323 BCE)
• Athens emerges as a dominant political and cultural force after the Persian Wars (490-479 BCE)
• Pericles, the prominent Athenian statesman, leads the city during its Golden Age (461-429 BCE)
  • Sponsors major architectural projects (Parthenon, Propylaea) and patronizes the arts
• Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta (431-404 BCE) marks the end of the High Classical period
• Vase painting reaches its zenith during this era, characterized by increased naturalism, complex compositions, and refined techniques
• Red-figure technique, invented in the late 6th century BCE, becomes the dominant style of vase painting

Key Artists and Workshops

• Polygnotos, a renowned painter, influences vase painting through his mastery of composition and use of color
• Berlin Painter, known for his elegant and detailed red-figure vases depicting mythological scenes
  • Notable works include the Achilles and Penthesilea amphora and the Ganymede krater
• Kleophon Painter, recognized for his innovative use of perspective and spatial depth in vase painting
• Eretria Painter, celebrated for his emotive and expressive figures, particularly in scenes of mourning and farewell
• Meidias Painter, known for his elaborate and ornate style, often depicting mythological love stories and wedding scenes
• Workshops of major artists (Berlin Painter, Kleophon Painter) train apprentices and produce large volumes of high-quality vases
• Collaboration between potters and painters becomes more common, leading to increased specialization and refinement of techniques

Techniques and Materials

• Red-figure technique dominates High Classical vase painting, allowing for greater detail and naturalism compared to earlier black-figure style
  • Figures are left in the color of the clay, while background is painted black
  • Details are added using fine brushwork and diluted clay slip
• White-ground technique, used primarily for lekythoi (oil flasks), creates a stark contrast between the white background and painted figures
• Polychrome painting, using additional colors (red, white, gold) to enhance details and create visual interest, becomes more prevalent
• Clay sourced from Athens and Corinth, known for its high quality and rich orange-red color
• Potters use the wheel to shape vases, while painters decorate the surface using a variety of brushes and tools
• Kilns used for firing vases at high temperatures (900-1000°C) to achieve durability and glossy finish
• Advancements in three-dimensional rendering, foreshortening, and the use of shading to create volume and depth

Stylistic Characteristics

• Increased naturalism in the depiction of human figures, with attention to anatomical details and proportions
  • Figures are often shown in complex poses and three-quarter views, conveying a sense of movement and depth
• Greater use of perspective and spatial depth, with figures placed on different planes and overlapping to create a sense of space
• Refined drapery and clothing, with intricate folds and patterns that enhance the sense of movement and volume
• Emotive facial expressions and body language, conveying the inner thoughts and feelings of the characters depicted
• Complex compositions with multiple figures interacting and engaging in narrative scenes
  • Scenes often depict moments of high drama or emotional intensity (battles, farewells, weddings)
• Incorporation of architectural elements and landscape features to create a sense of setting and context
• Increased attention to detail in the depiction of objects, animals, and plants, adding to the overall realism of the scenes

Iconic Vases and Their Stories

• Achilles and Penthesilea amphora by the Berlin Painter, depicting the tragic encounter between Achilles and the Amazon queen Penthesilea
  • Captures the moment when Achilles falls in love with Penthesilea as she dies by his hand
• Niobid Painter's kalyx krater, showcasing the myth of Niobe and her children being punished by Apollo and Artemis
  • Emotionally charged scene with Niobe's children falling to the gods' arrows while she watches helplessly
• Meidias Painter's hydria, featuring the abduction of the daughters of Leucippus by the Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux)
  • Elaborate composition with multiple figures and a sense of dynamic movement
• Eretria Painter's loutrophoros, depicting the wedding of Peleus and Thetis, parents of the hero Achilles
  • Festive scene with gods and goddesses in attendance, celebrating the union of a mortal and an immortal
• Berlin Painter's Ganymede krater, showing Zeus in the form of an eagle abducting the beautiful youth Ganymede to serve as his cupbearer on Olympus
  • Masterful use of foreshortening and perspective to create a sense of depth and movement

Themes and Iconography

• Mythological scenes remain a dominant subject in High Classical vase painting, with a focus on epic cycles (Trojan War, Labors of Heracles) and Athenian myths
  • Depictions of gods, heroes, and their exploits serve as moral exemplars and reinforce cultural values
• Scenes from daily life, including weddings, funerals, and athletic competitions, provide insight into the social and cultural practices of the time
• Dionysian themes, such as symposia and revelry, continue to be popular, reflecting the importance of wine and conviviality in Athenian society
• Eros, the god of love, becomes an increasingly prominent figure, often shown as a youthful winged deity attending weddings or romantic encounters
• Amazons, fierce female warriors, are frequently depicted in battle scenes, serving as a foil to Greek male heroes and highlighting the theme of civilization vs. barbarism
• Iconographic symbols (owls for Athena, tridents for Poseidon) serve as visual shorthand for identifying characters and conveying meaning
• Kalos inscriptions, praising the beauty of youths, are often incorporated into the decorative scheme, reflecting the Athenian fascination with male beauty and homoerotic desire

Cultural Significance

• Vase painting serves as a primary source of information about Ancient Greek society, religion, and culture
  • Provides insights into daily life, social practices, and cultural values of the time
• Vases are used in a variety of contexts, from everyday objects (storage, drinking vessels) to ceremonial and funerary purposes
  • Lekythoi, for example, are used to hold oil offerings for the deceased in funerary rituals
• Vase painting reflects the Athenian ideals of beauty, harmony, and balance, embodying the spirit of the High Classical period
• Mythological scenes on vases serve as visual representations of oral traditions, helping to preserve and disseminate cultural narratives
• Vases are traded throughout the Mediterranean world, spreading Athenian culture and influencing artistic styles in other regions
• Symposia, where vases are used for drinking and entertainment, serve as important social gatherings for the Athenian elite, fostering a sense of community and shared values
• Vase painting workshops contribute to the Athenian economy, with the ceramics industry employing a significant portion of the city's artisans and laborers

Legacy and Influence

• High Classical vase painting represents the pinnacle of the art form, setting the standard for future generations of artists
• Techniques and styles developed during this period, such as the increased naturalism and use of perspective, have a lasting impact on Western art
  • Renaissance artists, in particular, look to Ancient Greek vase painting as a source of inspiration and guidance
• The red-figure technique remains the dominant style of vase painting until the decline of the Athenian pottery industry in the late 4th century BCE
• Vases from the High Classical period are highly prized by collectors and museums, with many iconic pieces serving as centerpieces of major collections
  • The Euphronios krater, for example, was famously purchased by the Metropolitan Museum of Art for a record sum in 1972
• Scholarly interest in High Classical vase painting continues to the present day, with ongoing research and analysis shedding new light on the artists, workshops, and cultural context of the period
• Contemporary artists and designers continue to draw inspiration from the themes, motifs, and aesthetic principles of High Classical vase painting, ensuring its enduring legacy in the art world