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A seated man is met with figures holding various objects.

The vessel has a shallow-necked rim and two handles. In red and black. a seated man is surrounded by three figures who hold what may be dead animals, all of these figures wear robes with wide red hems and other designs dotted on them. Another smaller figure, perhaps a child, holds rings. There are animals sitting under the central man’s chair. There is a geometric vine/leaf pattern in a border above the scene and a geometric spike design around the base of the vessel.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
1977.216.2244
People
The Affecter, Greek (active 540 BCE - 530 B)
Title
Amphora (storage jar): Gods and Attendants
Classification
Vessels
Work Type
vessel
Date
540-530 BCE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Europe, Attica
Find Spot: Ancient & Byzantine World, Europe, Tarquinia (Etruria)
Period
Archaic period
Culture
Greek
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/289257

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Terracotta
Technique
Black-figure
Dimensions
H. 38.5 x W. with handles 27.5 x Dia. 25.5 cm (15 3/16 x 10 13/16 x 10 1/16 in.)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
Henry W. Haynes, Boston, MA, (by 1878-1912), bequest; to the Department of the Classics, (1912-1977), transfer; to Fogg Art Museum, 1977.

State, Edition, Standard Reference Number

Standard Reference Number
Beazley Archive Database #301357

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Transfer from the Department of the Classics, Harvard University, Bequest of Henry W. Haynes, 1912
Accession Year
1977
Object Number
1977.216.2244
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Side A: Zeus and Hermes with Poseidon and attendants. Zeus is seated in a throne and holding a javelin. To the right is Hermes carrying a caduceus, and on the left stands Poseidon with his trident. A male figure stands to the far right (Dionysos?) wearing an animal pelt. Behind Poseidon on the left is a youth carrying a round garland in each hand. Great detail is given to Zeus's throne, the feet of which terminate in lion's paws. Underneath the seat is shown a sphinx and hare.

Side B: Zeus and Poseidon with attendants. Zeus and Poseidon stand in the center facing one another. Zeus holds his javelin while Poseidon carries a trident and fish. Both gods are bearded and wear long garments. To the right of Poseidon stands a nude youth, facing right and behind Zeus is a second nude youth, holding a javelin. On the far left is a draped bearded man with a fish.

The figural panels are bordered on the top by a lotus chain. A pattern of rays decorate the vessel's base. Added red and white occur throughout to highlight details including the individuals' dress, hair, and muscular definition.
Commentary
The vase is attributed to the Affector who is considered among the best of the black-figure mannerists. Characterized by attention to decorative detail, often in added red and white, the Affector's scenes are often crowded with figures.

Publication History

  • W. Helbig, Scavi di Corneto (1876)
  • George H. Chase and Mary Zelia Pease, Corpus Vasorum Antiquorum, U.S.A.: volume 8, Fogg Museum and Gallatin Collections, Harvard University Press (Cambridge, MA, 1942), pl. 7, 2
  • J. D. Beazley, Attic Black-figure Vases, The Clarendon Press (Oxford, England, 1956), p. 245, no. 64
  • Diana M. Buitron, Attic Vase Painting in New England Collections, exh. cat., Fogg Art Museum (Cambridge, MA, 1972), p. 34-35, no. 13
  • H. Mommsen, Der Affecter, Verlag Philipp von Zabern (Mainz, 1975), p. 85, cat. 2
  • Sheramy D. Bundrick, Athens, Etruria, and the Many Lives of Greek Figured Pottery, University of Wisconsin Press (Madison, 2019), pp. 168-170, figs. 6.5, 6.6
  • David Saunders and Megan E. O'Neil, ed., Picture Worlds: Storytelling on Greek, Moche, and Maya Pottery, exh. cat., J. Paul Getty Museum (Los Angeles, 2024), p. 140, pl. 7; p. 181

Exhibition History

  • Attic Vase Painting in New England Collections, Fogg Art Museum, Cambridge, 03/01/1972 - 04/05/1972
  • 32Q: 3400 Greek, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 11/16/2014 - 10/03/2023
  • Picture Worlds: Greek, Maya, and Moche Pottery, The Getty Villa, Pacific Palisades, 04/10/2024 - 07/29/2024; Michael C. Carlos Museum of Art, Atlanta, 09/14/2024 - 12/15/2024

Subjects and Contexts

  • Google Art Project

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu