M Stockstad and M Cothren 2014 Art History Ancient Art 5th Edition Bost
Preview
Form Name and Date
Art 230: Ancient Art. Fall 2015
Time Period
Geometric Greek
Theme
Geometric Grave Markers
Clarification
The Eleusis Neck-Amphora is a prime example of Protoattic Oriental catamenia Greek pottery. Though the large 650 BCE blackness and white figure vessel is profoundly damaged, the visible narratives show u.s.a. an of import development in style.
Fired in red clay the surface features figures in silhouette and outline form. This would have demanded peachy attention to detail and several layers of coat. Exemplary of the Oriental period, all available surface infinite is filled in with rosettes that explain oriental integration into Greek art.
Aesthetic intent is likewise executed in the 2 characteristic fretwork handles running forth the sides from rim to shoulder featuring cut-out geometric triangles and rectangles.
The overall craftsmanship of the Eleusis Neck-Amphora is crude in technique that tin exist seen in the rough cutting-out in fretwork and uneven shaping of the vessels body. However, even though amphorae of this flow were known for their oriental ornament designs they had many functions that make them a unique example of Protoattic Greek pottery.
Most interesting about the Eleusis Neck-Amphora is its office as a funerary vessel. Various types of amphorae were produced at this time and had many uses. This type in particular was meant for property olives, wine, love and grains.
Simply in many cases amphorae were used equally grave markers. Having a vessel or statue as a grave maker allowed a evidence of wealth and statues for the family. There was often a hole at the bottom for cooler offerings to the deceased.
Amphorae could also exist cached holding cremated remains. In the Eleusis Neck-Amphora's case information technology was used every bit a bury with the skeleton of a small child found inside.
Clearly this Protoattic vessel was not for condition confirmation. It was, notwithstanding, commissioned by the boy's family and was signed by the artist. He writes "Menaleus made me" on the vase.
The function of this Protoattic vase doesn't seem to be correlated to the multiple narrations on its surface. On the surface of the vessel three divide mythological narrative registers are identifiable. Effectually the body, using the most space the decapitated Medusa following her two gorgon sisters chase after Perseus the hero.
Athena puts herself between the gorgons and Perseus for his protection. He is blackness silhouette while the gorgons are in outline and ophidian item effectually their heads. A less intricate narrative is on the shoulder of the amphora where a lion and boar posture, ready to fight ane another. The near avant-garde narrative covers one side of the neck and attempts to draw a past and nowadays events. Told is the story of Odysseus the hero and Polyphemos the giant Cyclopes. In the Eleusis Neck-Amphora narrative Polyphemos sits on the ground holding a kantharos, he is already drunk as Odysseus dynamically leaps through the air stabbing the stake into the one-eyed giant. Though Polyphemos is much larger the creative person fits him into the space by putting him on the footing. We too know the hero will prevail because of his slight height over the enemy. Odysseus is singled out by his outlined figure opposed to the others in silhouette.
There is much evidence of Greek burying practices and that surrounding amphorae. Though they were mostly a statue symbol this amphora was used as a bury and cached. This poses the question, what is the significance of the narratives? Perhaps these anecdotal myths are protective embellishments or maybe they serve to comfort the child's spirit as he passes on.
Works Cited
- Archino, Sarah. "Aboriginal World." Class lecture, November 2, 2015.
- Akmenkalns, Jessika. "2006.36.T, Boeotian Amphora." Wining, Dining, and Dying in Ancient Greece. Accessed November 10, 2015. http://www.colorado.edu/classics/exhibits/GreekVases/essays/200636tbasicinfo.htm.
- "Eleusis Neck-amphora." Classical Art Inquiry Centre. August 21, 2014. Accessed November 10, 2015. http://www.beazley.ox.ac.uk/tools/pottery/painters/keypieces/protoattic/eleusis.htm.
- Stokstad, Marilyn, and Michael Cothren. "Art of Aboriginal Greece." In Art History. 5th ed. Boston: Pearson, 2013.
COinS
Source: https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/art231/49/