ART 198 - HISTORY OF WORLD CERAMICS

This detail from a white ground lekythos shows a warrior seated at his tomb as his wife sadly bids him farewell. He looks into eternity with eyes full of sadness and holds his war spear in his left hand. The drawing here is as good as any in Greek pottery. The artist (known as the Reed Painter Group) uses line in a most spontaneous and fluid manner. Note the presence of blue and green pigments as well in this detail. These colors are the remains of an egg tempera pigment that was painted onto the lekythos after firing to extend the range of possible colors. These unfired colors rarely remain on ceramics from the period and show us that the Greek potter would use whatever materials were available to portray his world. It is thought that the Greek vase painters also painted in fresco, and pieces such as this offer a glimpse of Greek fresco painting, none of which survives.

Detail of Greek White Ground Lekythos, Warrior at Tomb, 450-425 BCE by the Reed Painter Group, from Eretria