The Penthesileia Painter Pyxis

1. The Penthesileia Painter Pyxis 465–460 B.C. white-groundAttributed to the Penthesilea Painter (Attic vase painter, active ca. 460-ca. 440 B.C.)Greek, AtticTerracotta

2. Penthesileia Painter • Active between 470 and 450 BC • Painted Attic Red style vases • His real name is unknown, his name “Penthesileia Painter” comes froma famous vase that depicts the slaying of Penthesileia by Achilles • 177 vases have been attributed to this painter, 100 of which remain in fragments

3. His work is known for it’s large space filling pictures Postures are often bent to make the figure fit Ornamental Decoration around the edges is often very narrow Known for being very colourful, using several intermediate shades. He uses the usual dark coral red and light reds, but also uses brown, yellow, yellow white and gold. Most of his vases depict youth and young boys engaged in athletic activity. A lot of his scenes also depict people talking to Horses and Everyday scenes He painted very few Mythological scenes

4. Pyxis plural:pyxides • A pyxis is a small vase that was usually used to store precious items. These were things such as cosmetics perfumes, jewelry or oils. • Had a separate lid • Pyxides often depicted the wedding procession of the owner (young girl) and her husband

5. THE JUDGEMENT OF PARIS Zeus threw a banquet for the marriage of Achillesparents Eros (cupid) was not invited, and threw a Golden apple into the celebration that said “for the fairest one” on it. Aphrodite, Hera and Athena all claimed the apple They asked Zeus to judge it, but Zeus refused as Hera was his wife The golden apple is referred to as the “Golden apple of discord”

6. Zeus appointed a mortal Paris to make the judgement The Goddesses attempted to bribe Paris Hera offered to make him King of Europe and Asia Athena offered wisdom and skill in war Aphrodite offered the love of the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen of Sparta Paris awarded the Golden apple to Aphrodite

7. Helen was already married to Menelaus, So Paris went to Sparta to steal his prize Helen. This is the mythological basis of why the Trojan War Began. Helen’s face was said to be “the face that launched a thousand ships."

8. SIDE A Paris is depicted as the humble shepherd sitting on the rock He is naked except for a Chlamys (short cloak) and a Petassos (travelling hat) Holds a club in his hand Appears to be in conversation with Messenger of the Gods Hermes (on the left) Hermes is wearing a Chlamys also He is carrying his magic staff called the Caducceus, which has a pair of snakes entwined about it

9. SIDE B • Standing behind Hermes are the 3 Goddesses, waiting to be judged • Hera stands directly behind Hermes wearing an Ionic Chiton (robe) and an embroidered cloak. • Wears a Diadem (crown) on head to show she is Queen of Heaven, carries staff in her hand. Gesture of modesty and also to show she is a married woman- a fold of her cloak is over her hair • On the left is Athena wearing the Aegis (featured in Homer’s Odyssey) Athena carries a spear and helmet to remind the viewer of her status as warrior goddess

10. SIDE C • Eros, (cupid) and Aphrodite stand to the left of Athena. • She holds a bowl in her hand Her marriage status (She is married to Hephaestus) is indicated but the veil which covers her hair

11. SIDE D, (but also SIDE A on your sheet so annotate that) The final figure is a bearded man. He is to the right of Paris and to the left of Aphrodite. He is tipping his staff toward Hermes and the 3 Goddesses The Identity of this figure is unknown but it is thought to be Priam, the King of Troy (father of Paris) NOTE: while most of the vase figures are fairly linear, some attempt has been made to make the rock Paris is sitting on look 3 D by varying colours