Belly Amphora by the Andokides Painter (Munich 2301)

The Belly Amphora by the Andokides Painter in the Staatliche Antikensammlungen at Munich (inventory number 2301) is one of the most famous works of the artist in question. As a bilingual vase, it is an important archaeological source regarding the transition from attic black-figure pottery to the red-figure style. It is signed by the potter Andokides, who probably made it. The Andokides Painter is generally considered as the inventor of the red-figure style of Greek vase painting. Red-figure was an inversion of the hitherto common black-figure style. In the initial phase of red-figure painting, both variants were used side-by-side. In some cases, like the belly amphora (see Typology of Greek Vase Shapes) described here, both styles were used in separate panels on the front and back of the same vase. What is special about the amphora in question is that both sides depict the same motif in the two different techniques. Thus, both styles can be compared exemplarily. The scenes depict the most important hero of Greek mythology, Heracles. He is depicted drinking while reclining on a "kline" (couch).

On the black-figure side, he is shown lying in a flat position, holding a drinking cup ("kantharos") in his right hand. His gaze is directed at the goddess Athena, standing in front of him. Behind her is Hermes, wearing winged sandals and a hat, followed by a nude servant, depicted slightly smaller, who is manipulating a large wine-mixing vessel ("krater"). In front of the couch, there is a low table with meat, cake and a "kylix". In the background, a vine frames the scene between the hero and the deities. Above Heracles, his weapons are suspended (or floating).

The red-figure side differs from the black-figure one in a few regards, but generally achieves a different level of artistic illustration. The servant and the herald god Hermes are absent, as are the weapons. Here, too, the scene is framed by vines, but in this case they do not simply grow from the ground but wind upwards. Heracles is depicted not simply lying flat, but with his upper body raised from the couch. One of his hands is holding his knee. The two figures are more isolated than on the other scene. Generally, the composition appears much calmer and more appropriate to encounter between the two important figures. The "kantharos" is depicted in black, as it is on the reverse, and thus gains importance by being much more striking than there. Athena is handing Heracles a half-opened flower. The elaborate internal detail renders their clothing much more rich in appearance than on the other side.

The amphora exemplifies the artistic superiority of the red-figure style. The technique offers the painter new and much wider possibilities. Depictions become more detailed.

The vase, measuring 53.5 cm in height and up to 22.5 cm in diameter dates to between 520 and 510 BC. It was discovered in Vulci. Some scholars assume that the black-figure side was painted by the Lysippides Painter, while others suggest that he is identical with the Andokides Painter.

ee also

*Red-figure pottery
*Black-figure pottery
*Pottery of ancient Greece
*Art in ancient Greece

Literature

* Michael Siebler: "Griechische Kunst", Taschen, Köln u.a. 2007, p. 46f. ISBN 978-3-8228-5447-1

External links

* [http://209.85.129.104/search?q=cache:5K3HPVcf-WEJ:www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/vaseindex%3Flookup%3DMunich%2B2301+Andokides+m%C3%BCnchen+2301&hl=de&ct=clnk&cd=5&gl=de Munich 2301 in the Perseus Procekt]

ource of translation