Description
Take a close look at the costumes of the female figures on this vase; their shrouded forms and veiled faces are an unusual and mysterious subject rarely seen in Greek vase painting. As you move around the vase looking at its painted decoration, consider why someone might choose to veil their face. Concealing costumes like the ones seen here were worn during religious rituals in ancient Greece. Similar drapery and veils were also worn by professional dancers, and the inclusion of a woman playing a double-flute strongly suggests we are viewing a scene of dancing and music. Although we can’t know for sure whether the women on this vase are dancing or taking part in a religious ceremony, the mystery is part of what makes the object so fascinating.
This krater, a vessel used for mixing water and wine, was made around the same time as the iconic Parthenon Temple in Athens—at the height of the Classical period. The vase’s graphic decoration is an example of red-figure painting, in which the background areas are covered with a slip that turns black during the firing process, leaving the figures and other designs reserved in red clay. This technique was perfected during this period, largely replacing older forms of ornamentation because it allowed for a greater degree of detail and naturalism.
Details
- Work Date:
- 450–440 BCE
- Location:
- Evans Gallery
- Medium:
- Clay with black glaze