The Age of Red-Figure

Intro• Red figure technique

invented in Athens• The opposite in

technique to black figure

• Adding details with paint (rather than incision) allows the artist to give a much more lively and natural appearance to the figures

Innovations• Chief innovation: relief line

This line was applied with a special syringe-like instrument and it was raised off the surface of the vase to accentuate the outline of the figures as well as their facial features and musculature. The line gave the decoration greater texture and definition.

• Shading was done with special honey-coloured dilute glaze.

• Greater attention to details, pose and dress.

• Move away from white for female flesh & black for males.

The Andokides Painter• Named after the potter who signed his work

Andokides• Attributed with being the inventor of red-

figure• Bilingual vases – this is how Andokides Painter probably experimented

• Andokides has a very similar style to Exekias and it has been suggested he was a pupil

• Andokides experimented with lots of colour but due to his black figure training, he sticks to rigid poses & minimal movement with his figures

“The Pioneers”• A group of early red-figure artists who were

renowned for their interest in the depiction of the human form and of human movement

• Two of the greatest artists from this group were Euphronios and Euthymides

EUPHRONIOS

Euphronios – Basic Facts

• Shape: calyx krater• Function: mixing wine & water• Potter: Unknown• Painter: Euphronios• Date: 510-500BC• Size: 46cm

InnovationsCopy & complete:• Greater attempt to show … …

(e.g. pain, despair and anguish are clearly visible).

• Muscles are … . They are … shown; they … realistically with the stress and strain of … .

• Experimenting with different ways of showing figures - … , … , ¾ pose.

Side A & B - ScenesSide A• Herakles fighting the … giant, … . The story comes from the myth

of the … Labours of Herakles.

Side B• Shows a … stepping up onto a platform, about to play a … . His

audience consists of three other … .

Inscriptions• Describe these.

Example:

Side A• Label the figures on your handout using p.38

• Give the details of the composition using p.39

Herakles & Antaios

Compare & contrast Herakles & Antaios:

Details Herakles Antaios

Place of origin

Eyebrows

Beard

Hair

Female supporter

Painting Technique

• Attempts at 3D

• Black slip

• Muscles and poses

• Clothing

• Innovation

• Extra glaze

• Well executed, implies …; Abdominal muscles outlined in … …, dilute … used for internal … .

• Used to … detail.• Very narrow lines show … in …; very carefully done;

… falls in zigzags to give the impression of … .• Dilute …-… slip is added to the giant’s … and

Herakles … .• Overlapping of …; use of …; attempt to create

natural looking … .• First attempt at … (the giant’s foot which is twisted

behind his body and gets … as it recedes).

Match & complete the following details:

EUTHYMIDES

Basic Facts

• Shape: belly amphora• Function: storing liquids• Potter: unknown• Painter: Euthymides• Date: 510-500BC• Size: 60cm

Remember the Pioneer Group?

• What were they interested in? (two things)

• On this vase he wrote:“os oudepote Euphronios”What do you think this means??

• = ‘As never Euphronios (could do)’

Euthymides

Use page 41 to answer these questions:• Of which group was he a member?• Name three other members.• Give 5 details of this group’s artistic skills.• What does Euthymides mean?

Scene – Side A• Three drunken revellers, returning from a symposium.• Designed to suggest movement

Komachos

Euedemos

Teles

How do we know they have been drinking?

Scene – Side B“The arming of Hector”

King Priam

Hector

Queen Hecuba

Composition - overallTypical ‘achieved’ exam

question:• Explain how the

painter has used the space available to him on the vase as a whole.

Use page 42 to help you answer this question.

Composition – comparison

Part (i) Excellence Question:• Discuss the similarities in composition between the two

scenes on this vase. You must make at least TWO points and provide examples from BOTH sides of the vase to support your answer.

Part (ii) Excellence Question• How effectively has the painter adapted the

composition of the scenes to the shape of the vase? You must make at least TWO points and provide examples to support your answer.

Painting Technique – side AUse page 43 to answer these questions:• How are details usually added to red figure vases?• What details have been added using this technique?• Details have been added using another technique on this

vase. What is the technique? What does this technique originate in? Where has this technique been used?

• Purple slip has been used for two things on this vase. What are they?

• Dark and dilute glaze has been used. Where?• Overall: what can red figure technique give that black

figure can’t??

Painting Style – side ACopy the notes on page 43 but in this order:• Mood• Drapery• Naturalism• Interest in anatomy• Poses• Lack of depth• Teles, Komachos & Euedemos• Foreshortening (depth)• Compared to Euphronios

Details – side B• Copy the details in the

peach coloured box (top right) on page 44

• Copy the info about the frieze

• Copy the info on Painting Style