Berlin Painter Volute Krater Fact Scan: Date: BC Type:Volute Krater (Mixing wine and water at the symposium) Technique:Red figure (the figures are red – hello?!) Potter:Unknown Painter:Berlin Painter (Painted a famous vase held in Berlin) Height:65 cm Subject:Achilles fighting Memnon of Ethiopia Achilles fighting Hektor the Trojan

Berlin Painter Volute Krater Side A Achilles (left) fights Memnon (right) Thetis supports Achilles Eos supports Memnon

Berlin Painter Volute Krater Side B Achilles (left) fights Hector (right) Athena supports Achilles Apollo (holding an arrow) supports Hector.

Berlin Painter Volute Krater Anatomy ¾ poses Dilute slip Foreshortening Overlapping

Berlin Painter Volute Krater Anatomy Bodily details Contrasts in hair, pose et

Berlin Painter Volute Krater Composition and use of space Whole vase mostly black Has the effect of drawing attention to the figured friezes Very busy decorative motifs (double lotus and palmette chain; ivy spirals on the handles Scenes Figures in their individual spaces “Spot-lit” effect – distinguishing features of the BP Exterior figures gesture towards the centre

Berlin Painter Volute Krater Compositional Matters Both sides have four separate figures Both sides have figures looking to the centre Most of the vase is black Double lotus and palmette frames the scenes Combatants are balanced. W-composition mimics the wide mouth and narrow neck of the vase

Berlin Painter Volute Krater On the left Lunges forward Body not covered by shield Helmet visor up Both naked Both have helmet visors up Memnon/Hector - defender On the right Falls/reclines backward Body covered by shield Obvious wounds Shaggy hair Achilles – the aggressor

Berlin Painter Volute Krater Artistic Matters Dramatic presentation – figures spotlit on a stage Glorification of battle Extensive use of dilute slip ¾ pose reveals tension of muscles Miniaturist details Attention drawn to combatants