The Attic black-figure Volute krater by Kleitias and Ergotimos 570 BCE
The Francois vase is regarded as a major monument of Greek pottery. It is a 66-centimeter high volute krater made in a black-figure design by the potter Ergotimos. It was painted by Kleitas, with both artists signing the vase. The vase is dated 570 BC. The Francois vase was restored by Pietro Zei after it was shattered into 638 pieces in 1900 by a disgruntled museum guard (Lahanas 1).This vase, known as a volute-krater, is so called because it is a krater that has volute-handles. The Francois Vase seems to have been used as a decorative piece for display in living rooms. The krater comprises of 270 animal and human figures showing various scenes from Greek mythology, including Olympian gods, centaurs, Peleus and his son Achilles. Perhaps the most dominant event that the Francois Vase captures is the wedding of Peleus. Another scene involves the chariot race for Patroclus. Patroclus, according to the Iliad by Homer, was the best friend of Achilles and the son of Menoetius.
Achilles is a central figure in the Francois Vase. A major scene from the Iliad that the Francois vase captures involve Achilles chasing Troilus. Troilus is on horseback while Achilles is on foot. The Iliad provides a description of Troilus as one of the leaders in the Trojan War. Achilles kills Troilus. One of the main sub-stories during the Trojan War, as described in the Iliad involves Achilles mourning the death of Patroclus, his close friend. One side of the Francois Vase captures a scene of the funeral games, were held in honor of Patroclus (Lahanas 1). Achilles ordered the Myrmidons to run their chariots in a battle formation and to go round Patroclus’ body three times. The funeral games also involved chariot racing. The vase depicts the chariot races that were part of the funeral games as indicated by the Iliad.
The depictions of the chariot races are particularly interesting because they capture movement through the element of artistic rhythm. The use of repetition helps to enhance movement. The art features pairs of equally-sized horses pulling two-wheeled chariots. The even spacing between the chariots also creates a pattern that not only enhances the horizontal balance of the artwork. The vase depicts the horses and human subjects in black color, which contrasts with the light brown background to emphasize their forms. Thin lines are also etched into the clay in intricate designs. These lines also create intricate patterns on the fabric of the human figures. The artwork on the vase provides a description of Achilles that is similar to that highlighted in Homer’s Iliad. Achilles was a brutal soldier. He killed Hector, a Trojan soldier, among many other prominent soldiers from the city. He was also loyal to his friends and his queen, Helen. In this regard, however, Homer provides more information than the drawings on the Francois Vase. The vase also does not show Achilles openly grieving the loss of his friend Patroclus as is indicated by Homer in the poem.
Vienna Attic red figure Skyphos by Brygos the painter 490 BCE
The Vienna Attic red figure Skyphos by Brygos the painter 490 BCE is a 25cm-high vase, discovered in Caere (Artres.com 1). It features Achilles and Priam. The artwork depicts Priam begging Achilles to surrender Hector’s body to him for a proper burial. The picture shows Achilles lying on his bed while the body of Hector is hidden under the bed. Hector Achilles killed Hector to avenge the Patroclus, whom Hector had killed in battle (Homer Book XXII). As punishment and shaming to the dead Hector, Achilles dragged Hector on the dust behind his chariot and drove round the walls of Troy. Unlike in the black-figure attic works, this image shows the human forms depicted in a light-colored brown and reddish shades, while the background is colored black. The contrast brings out the figures and the furniture vividly. Interestingly, King Priam’s hair is colored white, while Achilles’ hair is colored reddish-brown, perhaps to show the difference in their ages.
The vase is also decorated in linear patterns. The artwork features the prominent use of straight lines to depict human features. This artwork captures the brutal and defiant character traits of Achilles as is highlighted in Homer’s Iliad. This image does not capture more details about Achilles character than the Iliad. However, this image shows Achilles as a strong, athletic, and well-built man in his late twenties or early thirties. His height is exaggerated by the fact that his form exceeds the length of the bed, leaving his legs and torso extended beyond the edges. The Vienna Attic red figure seems to be a decorative vase that was used for special occasions and the dining party or symposia for purposes of indicating cultural pride to showcase different art styles and to document history.
Works Cited
Artres.com. "Art Resource | Fine Art Stock Licensing". Artres.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 5 Apr. 2016.
Homer. Robert Fagles, and Bernard Knox. The Iliad. New York, N.Y., U.S.A.: Viking, 1990. Print.
Lahanas, Michael. "The François Volute Krater". Mlahanas.de. N.p., 2016. Web. 5 Apr. 2016.
