This is an aid to supplement everything else not your only notes

François Vase

Fact Scan:Date: c.570BC

Type: Volute Krater (Mixing wine and water at the symposium)

Technique: Black Figure

Potter: Ergotimos

Painter: Kleitias

Height: 66 cm

Subject: Multiple Greek myths – often showing the Athenians victorious over different peoples.

François VaseSide A – from the top:

Calydonian Boar hunt

Funeral games for Patrokles

Gods at the wedding of Peleus and Thetis (parents of Achilles

Achilles chases Troilus outside the walls of Troy

Mythological animals – orientalising influence – griffins and sphinxes

Ray band

Pygmies on pygmy horses fighting crane birds

François VaseSide B – from the top

Victory dance of the Athenians after the killing of the minotaur by Theseus

Battle of the Lapiths and centaurs

Gods at the wedding of Peleus and Thetis (parents of Achilles

Dionysus leading Hephaistos back to Mt. Olympos from Mt Etna

Mythological animals – orientalising influence – griffins and sphinxes

Ray band

Pygmies on pygmy horses fighting crane birds

François Vase

•Exterior handles are both decorated with a similar design.

•The goddess Artemis is above, with an animal in each hand

•Below, Ajax carries the dead Achilles

Interior handles each show a gorgon – to ward off evil spirits.

Close up of the handles follows…

François VaseHandles

Ajax carrying the dead Achilles – slightly different on each handle

Above this, Artemis with animals. The animals are different on each handle

Interior of handles – gorgons, again, slightly different for each handle: purpose? apotropaic

François Vase

Close up of the lip frieze of Side A – the Calydonian Boar hunt. Things to notice….

Size of the boarNaming of heroesStaggering to give the impression of depthFemale warriorThree dogsSense of horror and vitality

François Vase

Close up of the neck frieze of Side A – the funeral games for Parokles. Things to notice….

Tripod as a prize (evidence from Iliad)Naming of heroes – Diomedes and Automedon (not visible here)Staggering to give the impression of depth (4 horses for each chariot)Detailed incision workSense of action and vitality

François VaseClose up of the belly frieze of Side A – Achilles chasing Troilus. This is a close-up of Hermes

Caduceus – but no winged bootsPetasos (travelling hat)Announcing the details to Thetis the mother of

AchillesDetailed incision workWhite for female flesh

Achilles’ right leg visible – Troilus is on 2 horses – but still the hero Achilles will catch up. The woman behind Achilles is Athena.

François VaseClose up of the belly frieze of Side B – Return of Hephaistos from Mt Etna to My Olympos. This is a close-up of Hephaistos and the satyr Silenos

InscriptionsAdded red for interestFeet of Hephaistos

pointing in opposite directions – he is crippled

Detailed incision workIthyphallic donkey and

satyr (with wine skin)

François VaseNarrative features

•Multiple stories

•Inscriptions

•Gestures

•Poses

•Associated symbols

Features of Black-figure technique

•Background reserved

•Figures black

•White for women (and interest)

•Red/purple for interest

•Incision

Features of Black-figure style

• Figures in profile

• Overlapping unconvincing - staggering

• Little emotion shown

• Action poses stylized

• Frontal eyes on profile faces…..also early RF

• Frequent anatomical inaccuracy

Thematic similarities

•Achilles is in 3 stories and his father Peleus is in 2.

•Thesseus is in 2 stories.