Pittore di Dolone
Pittore di Dolone
Volute Krater
Volute Krater
alt 57cm x diam 35,5cm
Date: 400-380 b.C.
Medium: red-figure Lucanian pottery
Medium: red-figure Lucanian pottery
Date: 400-380 b.C.
Medium: red-figure Lucanian pottery
Medium: red-figure Lucanian pottery
Introduction
Introduction
Pittore di Dolone’s volute krater is one of the masterpieces of Ancient Greek art. The creator is the Pittore di Dolone, active in the 4th century b.C., famous for his extremely refined line painting as well as for his choice of theme.
The work is located at Gallerie d'Italia - Napoli.
Pittore di Dolone’s volute krater is one of the masterpieces of Ancient Greek art. The creator is the Pittore di Dolone, active in the 4th century b.C., famous for his extremely refined line painting as well as for his choice of theme.
The work is located at Gallerie d'Italia - Napoli.
The ceramic vase has a pinkish-orange base covered with an engobe, a very thin layer of purified clay used to paint the vase before placing it in the kiln, which is red in colour. The unpainted areas of the vase are covered with a shiny black paint.
The ceramic vase has a pinkish-orange base covered with an engobe, a very thin layer of purified clay used to paint the vase before placing it in the kiln, which is red in colour. The unpainted areas of the vase are covered with a shiny black paint.
In addition to the two main scenes painted in the central area of the vase, the front and back have a number of decorative elements on the rim, lip, neck, shoulders, handles and foot. These are either plant motifs, such as a laurel branch with berries, palmettes or ivy leaves, or geometric motifs, such as meanders and squares.
In addition to the two main scenes painted in the central area of the vase, the front and back have a number of decorative elements on the rim, lip, neck, shoulders, handles and foot. These are either plant motifs, such as a laurel branch with berries, palmettes or ivy leaves, or geometric motifs, such as meanders and squares.
Depicted on the front of the krater is the most important scene, which tells of a journey. The woman depicted on the left is seated with her head bowed over a large bulging sack. She has well-designed sweet and full facial features. The bare neck is adorned with a pendant choker. A metal spiral bracelet encircles her left arm. She is dressed in a wide chiton, the typical tunic dress of the Greek world, draped and embroidered on the lower edge. On her feet she is wearing closed shoes.
Depicted on the front of the krater is the most important scene, which tells of a journey. The woman depicted on the left is seated with her head bowed over a large bulging sack. She has well-designed sweet and full facial features. The bare neck is adorned with a pendant choker. A metal spiral bracelet encircles her left arm. She is dressed in a wide chiton, the typical tunic dress of the Greek world, draped and embroidered on the lower edge. On her feet she is wearing closed shoes.
On her head she is wearing a veil, also embroidered, on which an ivy crown is resting. She has thick, frizzy hair with a central parting, which descends to her neck and cheeks in short curls.
On her head she is wearing a veil, also embroidered, on which an ivy crown is resting. She has thick, frizzy hair with a central parting, which descends to her neck and cheeks in short curls.
In front of her are two male figures. The first, bareheaded, wears a chlamys, a short cloak, on his shoulders.
In front of her are two male figures. The first, bareheaded, wears a chlamys, a short cloak, on his shoulders.
A second young man addresses the other in a colloquial manner. He wears a pileus on his head, a cone-shaped hat usually made of felt or leather, the chlamys draped over his left arm.
A second young man addresses the other in a colloquial manner. He wears a pileus on his head, a cone-shaped hat usually made of felt or leather, the chlamys draped over his left arm.
The two figures are wearing travelling shoes, on their chest a short sword and they each hold two spears. They are statuesque and immortalised in a supple rhythm that defines in detail the plasticity of the bust, emphasising the abdominal muscles. The most striking feature is the accentuation of the voluminousness and heaviness that stands out in the muscular and massive thighs, a distinctive mark of the painter himself.
The two figures are wearing travelling shoes, on their chest a short sword and they each hold two spears. They are statuesque and immortalised in a supple rhythm that defines in detail the plasticity of the bust, emphasising the abdominal muscles. The most striking feature is the accentuation of the voluminousness and heaviness that stands out in the muscular and massive thighs, a distinctive mark of the painter himself.
To the right of the young men is another female figure, dressed in a broad chiton with a black border and a veil that she is holding with both hands around her neck.
To the right of the young men is another female figure, dressed in a broad chiton with a black border and a veil that she is holding with both hands around her neck.
Elena is recognisable in the woman seated on a bulging sack, probably a travelling bag. The identity of the two young heroes is more uncertain. They could be Paris and Aeneas, at the moment of Helen's departure from Mycenae, or Menelaus and Ulysses, with Helen's return home after the fall of Troy.
Elena is recognisable in the woman seated on a bulging sack, probably a travelling bag. The identity of the two young heroes is more uncertain. They could be Paris and Aeneas, at the moment of Helen's departure from Mycenae, or Menelaus and Ulysses, with Helen's return home after the fall of Troy.
On the back of the vase, the simpler scene depicts two couples in conversation, man and woman, both wrapped in a cloak, standing facing each other in profile. They are dressed according to the fashion of the time: the men bareheaded, with short hair and ankle-length shoes; the women with their hair up.
On the back of the vase, the simpler scene depicts two couples in conversation, man and woman, both wrapped in a cloak, standing facing each other in profile. They are dressed according to the fashion of the time: the men bareheaded, with short hair and ankle-length shoes; the women with their hair up.