Meidias Painter Hydria

1. Meidias Painter Hydria Fact Scan: Date: c.410BC Type: Hydria (Storing and pouring water – 3 handles) Technique: Red figure (the figures are red, duh?!!) Potter: Meidias Painter: MeidiasPainter (Painted the vases potted by Meidias) Height: 52.2 cm Subject: Abduction of daughters of Leucippos Herakles in the Garden of the Hesperides

2. Meidias Painter Hydria

3. Meidias Painter Hydria • Upper Register • Castor and Pollux – having been advised to get married, go into the sanctuary of Aphrodite and steal (with the intention of “knowing”) the daughters of Leucippos – Eriphyle and Hilaeira – as they are innocently gathering flowers • The goddess Aphrodite is present – reclining beside an altar and in statue form between the 2 chariots.

4. Meidias Painter Hydria • On the extreme left (visible on an old fashioned slide) is Zeus (father of the Discouri) holding a sceptre. • On the extreme right, Peitho the goddess of Persuasion runs away in distress (but fortunately remembers to turn around and see Eriphyle being carried away) • To the left of the altar, Chryseis gathers flowers (while a violent abduction takes place): how nice! Agaue runs towards Zeus – but holds her dress as she does so!

5. Meidias Painter Hydria • At a higher level, Pollux has already captured Hilaeira and is about to take off in the chariot. He is seated and is carrying her on his lap. • To the left, Castor’s chariot is being looked after by his charioteer, Chrysippos. Clearly he is having some difficulty grabbing hold of Eriphyle. The horses stand patiently – nice horses!

6. Meidias Painter Hydria • A large, stylized and very ugly palmette is drawn on the reverse and surrounds the very awkward area of the third handle • There are decorative bands • Stylized egg and dart pattern around the lip • Palmettes on the neck • Meanders with boxes below each of the friezes • Stylized tongues surround the handles • The lower register encircles the vase

7. Meidias Painter Hydria • Lower Register • Herakles (right with club, lion skin and looking rather effeminate) accompanied by his nephew (Iolaos) have come to the garden of the Hesperides. • They seek the golden apples of immortality (doesn’t everyone except Juvenal?!)

8. Meidias Painter Hydria • Lower Register • The apples are on the tree – protected by a dragon. • This scene goes all the way round the vase. The other characters are either members of the Argonauts ( 7 of Jason’s mates) or 4 other maidens. Their names are available to keen people in the booklet

9. Meidias Painter Hydria • Stylistic features • Drapery • Anatomy • Hair styles • Dragon skin - scales • Different ground lines

10. Meidias Painter Hydria

11. Meidias Painter Hydria • Features of the Mannerist style • A fascination with drapery and intricate folds – embroidery even on the cloaks of heroes • Interest in female anatomy – it is clearly revealed under the drapery and includes nipples (rare in females in vase painting) • Interest in decoration – such as the coronets, earrings, necklaces and bracelets • Theatrical or elegant poses and gestures – even when totally inappropriate to the narrative