Greek Vase PaintingAncient Greek Culture and Art (Click On One of the Blue Boxes to Begin)

Ancient Greek Art Most of the ancient Greek art that is still around today is in the forms of pottery, sculpture and architecture. Most ancient Greek paintings have deteriorated or been destroyed, except for most paintings on pottery.  Why are they gone? Deterioration – wood panels Burned – marble Bronze – melted and reused in the Middle Ages Looting/War

Ancient Greek Pottery Narratives Procession of men, kylix by the Triptolemos Painter, circa 480 BC. Paris: LouvrekylixTriptolemos PainterParisLouvrePerforming a libation, interior of a bowl by Makron, circa 480 BC. Paris:LouvrelibationMakronParisLouvre

Psykteres were wine coolers. Oinochoai were wine jugs. Chytra Used as cooking pots. Stamnoi were used for holding wine before mixing it with water Lekythoi were oil bottles. Hydria Used to carry water. Alabastron Small vases used by women for storing perfume or oil. Amphora Used for carrying and storing solids and liquids. Chous Used as jugs. Kantharos Used as drinking cups with two vertical handles Krater comes from a word meaning 'mix'. Kraters were used for mixing wine with water. Kylikes were special wine cups. The name for this large vase means 'carrying to the bath.' Loutrophoroi were used to hold water for bathing or for washing. Lekanides were small, shallow bowls used by women for storing jewellery and trinkets. Pyxides were small pots in which women stored their cosmetics, powder or jewellery. Pots came in all sorts of shapes and sizes depending on their purpose. The Ancient Greeks made pottery for everyday use, not for display. Shapes and Sizes

Greek Vase Painting There are three main stylistic periods in Greek vase painting; geometric, black-figure and red- figure. All stylistic periods of Ancient Greek pottery: the Protogeometric from about 1050 BC;1050 BC the Geometric from about 900 BC;900 BC the Late Geometric or Archaic from about 750 BC;750 BC the Black Figure from the early 7th century BC;7th century BC and the Red Figure from about 530 BC.530 BC

Geometric is called that because of the typically lip to foot geometric design.  Geometrical art flourished in the 9th and 8th centuries BC  Most motifs are abstract in nature.  Late geometric style does see human and mythical paintings appear. Geometric Technique Boeotian Geometric Hydria lamp, Louvre

Black-figure is called that because the people (the figures) are black, and the background is a reddish brown.  Black-figure technique was likely developed around 700 B.C. in Corinth.  Within the black figures, incised lines revealed the red clay beneath, allowing the artist to trace the inner details of the figure.  Black figure is done all with one type of clay. Color change is done in the firing process. Scene from a black-figure amphora from Athens, 6th century BC, now in the Louvre, ParisLouvre Black–Figure Technique

Amphora by Exekias, Achilles and Ajax engaged in a board game, c BC, Vatican Museums, Vatican City.

In red-figure the people are red and the background is black.  The red-figure technique was invented in Athens c. 530 B.C. The figures remained in the orange-red color of the clay, and the surrounding background was turned to black by the firing of the pot.  Instead of using a sharp tool to incise lines, the painters used a fine brush, pen or reed to apply lines of color for the inner details of the figures. Red-figure scene on the Belly Amphora by the Andokides Painter (Munich 2301). Munich: Staatliche AntikensammlungenBelly Amphora by the Andokides Painter (Munich 2301)MunichStaatliche Antikensammlungen Red–Figure Technique

What is a visual narrative? A visual narrative is a story told in images Visual narratives go beyond simple decorations, but include details to references specific people, actions, events, times, and locations What narrative might you be interested in sharing?  May be personal - think about big events, trips, and memorable moments  May be fictional – ancient tales, fairy tales, favorite stories, etc.

Project Requirements You must select a Greek inspired form and complete a 3D drawing of the subject Vase must be functional Vase must contain at least one handle and two curves Vase must be at least 10 inches in height Must be decorated with a narrative  Vase painting will be done with red, gray, and white slip decoration All other creative decisions are up to you!

Getting Started… Sketching process:  Research Greek shapes and their uses and choose three shapes you find interesting (they MUST be ancient Greek shapes!)  Sketch 3D images of these shapes, changing them how you see fit  Sketch two possible narratives to include on your finished work  Choose your favorite shape and narrative Put them together into a FINAL sketch Display the FRONT and BACK of the narrative (narrative may travel 360 degrees around the pot Sketch must be colored with white, gray, and red/brown