Artwork Page for Red-Figure Lekythos (Oil Vessel): Warrior Cutting Hair

Details / Information for Red-Figure Lekythos (Oil Vessel): Warrior Cutting Hair

Red-Figure Lekythos (Oil Vessel): Warrior Cutting Hair

c. 480–470 BCE

attributed to Oionokles Painter

(Greek, Attic, active c. 480–460 BCE)
Culture
Greek, Attic
Medium
ceramic
Measurements
Overall: 43.5 x 16.5 cm (17 1/8 x 6 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
The Charles W. Harkness Endowment Fund 1928.660
Public Domain
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Location
102B Greek
Print
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Did You Know?

The painter lavished great detail on this warrior’s armor, even including a lion on his helmet’s cheekpiece!

Description

Whether cutting his hair or combing it, this solitary warrior seems to be contemplating his fate. If mythological, he may be Parthenopaios or another of the ill-fated Seven Against Thebes, a band of warriors tasked with overthrowing that central Greek city. The Seven left mementos for their loved ones before departing, and he may be cutting a lock of hair for this reason. The same motive might apply to historical soldiers as well, and he may represent one of the many Greeks who battled the Persians around the time this vase was made. Unfortunately, the inscriptions painted on either side of the figure seem to be nonsense—actual Greek letters that do not spell out recognizable names or words.
Black lekythos, a vessel with a narrow body thinning into a cylindrical neck with a funnel-like lip. On the body, orange detailing depicts a bearded man in profile, pulling strands of curly hair in front of his face with one hand and holding a sword in the other. A crested helmet sits on a stool in front of him. Bands of rectangular spirals frame the scene, with a floral pattern transitioning to the neck.

Red-Figure Lekythos (Oil Vessel): Warrior Cutting Hair

c. 480–470 BCE

Oionokles Painter

(Greek, Attic, active c. 480–460 BCE)
Greek, Attic

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