The Achilles Painter Lekythos

Name: The Achilles Painter Lekythos When made: BC Size: 38.4cm Potter: Unknown Painter: The Achilles Painter

The painter never signed his name to his vases Got his name from another vase he painted where Achilles was a key subject that has stylistic similarities. Student of the Berlin Painter, he took over the Berlin Painter workshops

His white ground Lekythoi were of high standard Many simple, balanced, two-figure compositions Considered the most "classical" of all vase-painters of the classical period in the mid 5th century.

Vase shape:Lekythos Use: Funerary vase used for storing oils Much narrower shape then Amasis ovoid lekythos.

Inscription Found between the two figures Kalos inscription (love inscription) It says “Axiophates, the son of Alkimachos, is handsome” Inscription has nothing to do with the decoration of the vase It was a common way to graffiti vases in this way

The Scene Non-funerary scene but it is probable that she is preparing to visit a tomb Woman and her maid servant that is holding a grey painted casket. Behind them a lekythos and mantle hang on the wall which is an indication that the scene is indoors Woman directs maid – see hand movement

Woman She is wearing a loose fitting yellow sleeved chiton (one piece garment belted around the waist) and red himation (large cloak) Hand directing maidservant Woman stands feet frontal, but turning to look at the maidservant Much more realistic stance then in previous vases.

Maidservant Clothing appears to be transparent

Painting Technique White Ground Mainly used for funerary vases as these were buried and the decorations were more fragile. Chalky white slip (kaolin) was painted over the leather hard clay which gave the vase its white background Outline of figures painted in dilute honey coloured glaze before firing Brighter colours of clothing were added after firing as they were not derived from the glaze and meant it couldn’t be fired Colours added after firing were not as durable. Hence the servants clothes appear to be transparent.

Borders Stopped Meander found directly above the scene Schematic palmette on shouder of the vase

Painting Style Pupils of eyes look in the direction that the body faces They have long necks Faces are calm and expressionless, elegantly executed Faces are said to appear sculptured rather than painted They make few gestures. The woman directs her maid with her hand Inspired by sculptre of the period

Maid stands in profile Woman stands in frontal view with her face looking to the side to her servant Figures are slender Drapery a lot less detailed than the Penthesileia Painter Pyxis The woman's feet are frontal, effective foreshortening

Quiz: gteacher/achillespainterflash.html