Berlin Painter Volute krater
Basic facts Vase shape:volute krater Function:mixing wine & water Potter:unknown Painter:Berlin Painter Date: BC Height:65cm
Painter never signed his own name the name Berlin Painter comes from an amphora found in Berlin - this volute krater is stylistically similar to that amphora often spotlighted a single figure against a black background, with no framing panel characters often give impression of being frozen in mid- action – their bodies tensed & poised to move on figures are well-muscled details drawn with dilute glaze excellent at refinement & delicacy
Innovations spotlighting a single figure against a black background with no framing panel; in this way they appear light & graceful, as if floating on the vase
Subject – side A Achilles & Memnon (Trojan hero from Ethiopia) a ‘frozen’ action scene from battle watched by their mothers, Thetis & Eos
Subject – side B Achilles & Hector ‘frozen’ battle scene watched by their respective divine patrons – Athena & Apollo Achilles has already wounded Hector
Composition - overall simple decoration - typical of the Berlin Painter only the neck & handles are decorated this is a reversal of the major artistic trend – no decoration on the body except for a coating of shiny black glaze, and a band of stylised rays at the base of the belly this draws attention to the shape of the vase & also the main frieze complex mirrored lotus & palmette chain on the lip (above the frieze) below the scene is a tongue pattern
Composition - scenes no overlapping single groundline two central figures are framed by their supporters scenes are symmetrical ¾ view of Achilles is mirrored on both sides positioning of shields helps to give a three-dimensional effect figures are in a ‘W’ composition which mimics the wide mouth and narrow base of the vase (the supporters are the ‘wings’ of the ‘w’ whilst the warriors are in the interior inverted ‘v’) the clashing of the spears on side B adds to the ‘W’ composition
Figurative Details – side A Achilles twisted in ¾ pose carefully mirrors taut back view of Memnon
Figurative Details – side A cont Memnon holds up his shield to block Achilles’ spear prepares to lunge forward with his sword position of his legs indicate movement – the heels of his feet are raised off the ground he looks like he’s moving forward about to lunge with his sword
Figurative Details – side A cont Thetis mother of Achilles stands behind Achilles her hands are raised as if urging him on to defeat Memnon
Figurative Details – side A cont Eos mother of Memnon Eos means Dawn stretches out her right arm (mirrors Thetis) but her pose is one of anguish, knowing that her son is about to be defeated mirror-like symmetry of the two women her drapery flows to show movement & suggests she is moving away from the scene zigzag folds in her drapery
Figurative Details – side B Achilles his legs are moving forward showing that he is ready to attack he is preparing to make the last fatal blow to the already wounded Hector can see the interior of his shield – it highlights the figure of Achilles (Hector is contrasted and looks deliberately weak) this shows that Achilles will be the victor both warriors are slender, agile & well-muscled both warriors are nude as was typical of Greek heroes
Figurative Details – side B cont. Hector depicted totally unprotected – his shield is twisted behind him! blood is spurting from wounds in his thigh and chest one knee is bent – almost looks as if he is stumbling backwards from the curve of his body his body is painted in the ¾ pose both warriors are slender, agile & well-muscled both warriors are nude as was typical of Greek heroes
Figurative Details – side B cont. Athena stands behind Achilles one arm is outstretched behind him – encouraging her favourite hero she holds a spear in her hand she wears her snake covered aegis and a helmet
Figurative Details – side B cont. Apollo stands behind Hector appears to be waving goodbye to the ‘doomed’ Hector is carrying an arrow; maybe a hint at the fate that awaits Achilles
Non-figurative details complex mirrored lotus & palmette chain on the lip (above the frieze) below the scene is a tongue pattern band of stylised rays at the base of the body
Inscriptions the figures have their names painted beside them in dilute glaze
Painting Technique - overall red-figure figures are first painted with a relief line; the background was then painted in with black slip; extra details such as eyes were then added with black slip figures have their names painted beside them in dilute glaze major muscles are painted with slip – this provides more detail
Painting Technique – side B Achilles arm (holding the spear) is foreshortened dilute slip has been used on Achilles hair dilute slip is used for the blood flowing from Hector’s thigh & chest dilute slip also used for the details on the shields
Narrative Technique The ways a story can be communicated or told: names (sometimes symbolic, e.g. Peitho (persuasion) on Makron’s vase to emphasise seduction) actions poses hand gestures
Narrative Technique – this vase Overall all figures are named drapery flaring shows movement (particularly the supporters walking away) hand gestures – such as pulling hair (suggest grief) Side A Achilles raised arm shows he’s about to strike his raised heel suggests movement Eos pulling her hair suggesting she is in grief about Memnon’s imminent death Side B Apollo looks back at the defeated Hector as he walks away (heel raised)