Pelike Attic Vase, 520-500 BCE

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About the Item

Side A presents the ninth of the twelve Herculean jobs : Hercules must retrieve the Amazons’ Queen, Hippolyta’s, belt. The moment portrayed is the paroxysm of the event since the final death blow is about to be dealt. Hercules’ left hand holds the Queen’s helmet, who is already on the floor, and he prepares to administer the final blow with his favorite weapon, the club, which he holds in his right hand. Hercules is recognizable due to the Nemean lion’s pelt, acquired during his first mission, which is seen here draped over his shoulders. Three horses are seen to the left of the scene. The presence of polychromy is important; numerous red details are utilized by the painter on the horses’ manes and harnesses, on the Queen’s helmet and shield, and on the lion’s pelt. White paint highlights the pulpit of Hippolyta, the ox figure (?) on her shield, the club and one of the horses. Side B presents a Dionysian scene: Dionysus is portrayed sitting down and seems to be holding onto a maenad that in an attempt to escape him holds his stare. Here, the allurement and the distance of the bodies harmonize this scene giving it an aspect of being suspended in time. Red highlights are found on the hairs of the characters, the clothes and beard of Dionysus. There is also the presence of white highlights on the pulpit of the maenad. An ornamental Greek frieze at the base of the neck decorates the two scenes. The details on the faces and on the drapes (clothing) are of fine incisions. Both sides present garland decors. The characters are very dynamic and the organization of the space is brilliant. In truth, the animation effect, the liveliness and the realism of these attitudes characterize the painting of black-figures at circa 520–510 BCE. The group of Leagros was active in Athens at around the VI century AD, and the group consisted of a series of anonymous painters. This group differs from the classical painting of Exekias by the luxury presented by the figures and the amplitude of the movements, even the expressiveness abundance. Almost one-fourth of their works attested for by the Beazley contain a Dionysian scene. Similar vase: Heracles fighting the Amazons. Attic black-figure hydria, circa 530 BC. Léagros group. Staatliche Antikensammlungen Bibliography: Beazley, J.D., Attic Black-Figure Vase-Painters (Oxford, 1956): 376.223 Ménades Marie-Christine Villanueva-Puig, les Belles lettres, 2009 - 292 pages Grèce Archaïque, J. Charbonneaux, R. Martin, F. Villard, Univers des Formes, ed. Gallimard.

Dimensions:
Height: 9.53 in (24.2 cm)Width: 6.7 in (17 cm)Depth: 6.7 in (17 cm)
Style:
Classical Greek (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Clay,Varnished
Place of Origin:
Greece
Period:
15th Century and Earlier
Date of Manufacture:
520-500 BCE
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading. the varnish on side b has been worn away.
Seller Location:
Paris, FR
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU3661111786671