Black figured Chalkidian krater
featuring a scene from the Trojan War540 B.C. Wuerzburg University, Germany.
What does the black figured pottery style entail?
In black-figure greek pottery, not all figures were painted black as certain colour conventions were adopted, such as white for female flesh and purple-red for clothes and accessories
A greater interest in fine details such as muscles and hair, which were added to the figures using a sharp instrument, is characteristic of the style.
However, it is the postures of the figures which also mark out black figured pottery as the zenith of Greek vase painting. The finest figures are given grace and poise and often illustrated in the moments before actual movement or resting after exertion.
The famous vase by Exekias, with Ajax and Achilles playing a board game during the Trojan War, is an excellent example of the dignity and energy black-figure painting could achieve.
Black figured Amphora,
by the painter Exekias.
Achilles and Ajax are playing a board game during a break of the Trojan war.
About 540 BC. The Vatican Museum, Italy..
500 BC. Antikensammlung Munich, Germany
Stories depicted on black-figured pottery
The stories were drawn by myths, the Trojan war, the adventures of Odysseus, the Argonauts and other great heroes of the Greek Mythology.
Very popular were also the capering satyrs and maenads in the retinue of god Dionysus. Black-figure vases are one of the most important sources of mythology and iconography, and sometimes also for researching day-to-day ancient Greek life.
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Sources : Wikipedia, Greek Ministry of the Aegean, Livepedia.gr , Ancient History Encylopedia
