6. One of the artist’s favourite compositions was spotlighting a single figure against a black background with no framing panel. In this way they appear light and graceful, as if floating on the vase. There is no decoration on the body of the vase, except for a coating of shiny black glaze and a band of stylised rays at the base of the belly. Decoration Overview
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9. Side A Achilles Fights Memnon Both figures are slender, athletic and well-muscled.
10. Memnon holds up his shield to block Achilles’ spear, while he prepares to lunge forward with his own weapon. Raised heels suggest he is rushing forward Achilles has his shield ready to block Memnon’s sword, and is also moving forward to thrust with his spear.
11. Here we can clearly see Thetis, mother of Achilles. She supports her son, raising her arms and urging him on to defeat Memnon This is Eos (Dawn). She stands behind her son, Memnon. She raises her hand, either in support or anguish. Her drapery hangs in zig-zag folds, and suggests she is moving away. The two mothers frame the warriors in the centre.
13. Again, Achilles has his shield ready to block, and, with his legs apart and his right heel raised, he is moving forward to deliver the fatal blow to the already wounded Hector. Achilles is in a very strong body position. Hector’s shield is behind him, leaving him unprotected. His spear is pointing at the ground – not a threatening position for Achilles. Perhaps Achilles has just fended off a spear-thrust with his shield. He is leaning backwards, and has a weak position, with left knee bent. He has two bleeding wounds already – one on his thigh, and one on his chest.
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16. Above the scene is a lotus and palmette band. Below the scene is a band of stylised meanders .
17. There is no overlapping, but the positioning of Achilles’ shield helps to create depth and a three-dimensional effect.
19. Both sides are composed in a W-shape, and both sides are symmetrical. The two outer figures frame the central pair.
20. Painting Technique This is a Red-Figure vase, so the figures are first painted with a relief line, then the background is filled in with black slip. Next, extra details were added later in diluted slips.
21. Painting Technique Major muscles are painted with dark slip, while minor muscles are painted with dilute slip. Dilute slip is also used for detail on the inside of the shields, as well as Hector’s wounds. Dilute slip is also used for Achilles’ hair.
This is typical of his style – single figures against a totally black background.
The krater is so large it would have taken 2 slaves to carry it!
This has no mythical background – it is not a scene from the iliad
The fight scene is frozen – emphasis is on the pose of the warriors as they prepare to strike, not on the clash itself. Both warriors are nude – customary way to show heroic status – also chance to show skill at depicting musculature
Use of hand gestures here is a method of telling story
Hector appears to be stumbling backwards – left hand behind as if to stop him falling backwards?
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