Download Red-Figure Amphora by Euthymides

Brice Bowerman
Red-Figure Amphora by Euthymides
Pottery was a major trade back in Ancient Greece, especially in Athens.
Pottery was the main canvas which the Ancient Greeks used to illustrate many of the important
stories in mythology and share them with other groups of people. The first major style of art
depicted on pottery is referred to as black-figure painting. In this type of painting, all of the
subjects are made using black shapes and are placed against a red background. Black-figure
painting did not last, however, and was replaced by the more popular red-figure style. This type
of pottery painting showed subjects as red and the background as black. Due to the swap in color
palate, artists were able to produce finer details on the vases. This increase in detail is what
caused red-figure pottery to overshadow the earlier Black-figure style. The vase further studied
in this project was attributed to the ancient potter Euthymides. He was one of the pioneers of
Red-figure pottery, and often signed his art “Euthymides painted me.” The record of this vase,
however, does not show his signature.
The amphora that was researched in this project depicts a scene in Greek mythology
involving the hero Theseus. In order to understand the scene depicted on this vase, we must first
know about the mythology surrounding Theseus. Using the inscriptions on the amphora, we
know that the scene involves Theseus, Helen and Peirithous. The story surrounding these three
famous characters is quite amusing, though it ends tragically for the two men.
After the death of his second wife Phaedra and his son Hippolytus, Theseus felt it was
time to find a new wife. He decided that it was time to find a women that was worthy enough for
him, namely a daughter of Zeus. Part of this decision was influenced by his friend and fellow
king Peirithous, who convinced Theseus to aim higher with his remarriage. The woman that
Theseus decided to marry was none other than young Helen, the child who would inevitably
spark the Trojan War after she is kidnapped for a second time. The two Kings had little trouble
kidnapping the child, which they subsequently left her with Theseus’ mother before they
attempted to kidnap Peirithous’ choice of Perspehone.
The two heroes make it to the Underworld without a problem, but Hades was already
expecting them. Hades tricks the two men into sitting down onto chairs which bind them and
prevent them from escaping. Theseus becomes trapped in the Underworld, until Heracles arrives
during the last of his labors when he frees Theseus from the cursed chair. Theseus’ time away
from Athens allowed Menestheus to become the king.HE refuses to give the throne back to
Theseus when he returns from the Underwolrd, and Theseus dies in disgrace not to long after his
rescue.
Euthymides’ vase depicts the kidnapping of Helen by Theseus. He is holding on
tightly to her as another woman, named Korone is trying to grab hold of her and presumably save
her. Peirithous is also depicted on the vase turned backwards to look at the other side of the vase,
which shows two other women and a man. The two women appear to be chasing after the figures
on the front side to try and stop the kidnapping, while the man is standing to the back observing.
Peirithous seems bemused by the reaction of the women on the reverse side of the vase, as
Korone tries to stop Theseus.
Overall the scene appears to be presented comically, especially with the different
expressions of each of the characters. When taken in context of Greek culture, the action taken
by the women is very out of character. Women were supposed to be very reserved and let the
men do the fighting. The active nature of the women in the scene explains why Euthymides
might paint Peirithous turned backwards even with Theseus and Korone fighting over Helen in
front of him. He is apparently amused by the sight of women chasing after him and his partner in
crime. The man in the background appears to be a juxtaposition to the other women on the vase
as he is apparently hanging back and observing the scene as the women do all the work. This
piece of art would definitely have been seen as humorous back when it was produced.
This vase is a very beautiful one and all of the details that are painted on to it are truly
amazing. In addition to the figures on the vase the extra decoration on the vase is quite exquisite.
The seashell-esque figures at the bottom of the handles remind me of water, which also happens
to be the major means of trade for these vases with other cities. The borders of the scene are also
decorated with the same shapes. The presence of these figures on both the handles and the border
of the scene really helps bring the entire vase together into one piece of art. I still haven’t quite
got used to the freely drawn male figures in the art, though. The openness of the Greek world to
the free exposure of males while clothing females, barring Aphrodite, is strange. This weird
feeling I obtain from the art stems from growing up in American society where sexuality is
somewhat taboo in everyday culture.
The most interesting aspect of Greek pottery that I can find is the use of faces in the
artwork. It seems that Greek artists either did not have the ability to draw different expressions
for the people depicted or it was not very important to them. The vase depicting the kidnapping
of Helen by Theseus is one potential example of this observation. While it would be
understandable to have Theseus and Peirithous smiling during the scene, it is interesting that
both Helen and her guard also have the same expression. It would appear that every character on
the vase has the same light smile as the two kidnappers, which would not be expected in such a
harrowing scene. It might be possible that the expressions were meant to be neutral for all the
characters, but the general feel that comes from all of the characters is strangely happy for what
should be a terrible occasion. It makes me wonder why the Greeks may not have tried to use a
frown or some sort of other shocked expression on the victims in this piece of art.
Euthymides’ vase is truly a masterpiece of Greek art and culture. The myth of Theseus
and Helen is one of both great comedy and tragedy, with the outcome leading to the end of
Theseus’ rule. The artist was able to capture the comedic essence of the story onto his vase and
make a truly beautiful piece of art.
Bibliography
“Euthymides”. Wikipedia. Nov 18 2014. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euthymides
“Midlife Crisis: The Abduction of Helen”. Nov 18 2014.
http://www.infoplease.com/cig/mythology/midlife-crisis-abduction-helen.html
“Red-figure Pottery”. Wikipedia. Nov 18 2014. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-figure_pottery
Karl Schefold, Luca Guiliani. Gods and Heroes in Late Archaic Greek Art. Pg 170-1. 1992