Artwork Page for White-Ground Lekythos (Oil Vessel): Atalanta and Erotes

Details / Information for White-Ground Lekythos (Oil Vessel): Atalanta and Erotes

White-Ground Lekythos (Oil Vessel): Atalanta and Erotes

500–490 BCE

attributed to Douris

(Greek, Attic, active c. 500–470 BCE)
Culture
Greek, Attic
Medium
ceramic
Measurements
Overall: 31.8 cm (12 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund 1966.114
Public Domain
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Location
102B Greek
Print
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Did You Know?

Eros, god of love, appears three times on this vase.

Description

Known as "white-ground" because of the white clay slip applied as a surface for figural decoration, vases of this type give some idea of the appearance of lost ancient large-scale wall paintings. Both remarkably well preserved and masterfully composed, the images cover the entire circumference of the vase. At the center, Atalanta, the virgin huntress renowned for both her speed and her opposition to marriage, races to the right while looking back at Eros, the winged god of love; both figures are named. This Eros, bounding forward, tries to crown her, while two additional Erotes (also named) further hem her in. Love will win.
A white ceramic vessel features a tall cylindrical body, narrow neck, flared black lip, and handle curving from the neck to the top of the body. Around the body of the vessel are images of four people, three with wings and one wearing a long dress. Areas around the vessel's neck, lip, and handle are worn.

White-Ground Lekythos (Oil Vessel): Atalanta and Erotes

500–490 BCE

Douris

(Greek, Attic, active c. 500–470 BCE)
Greek, Attic

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