Nov 12, 2009
Nov 12, 2009
Nov 12, 2009
Nov 12, 2009
Nov 12, 2009

White-Ground Lekythos (Oil Vessel): Atalanta and Erotes

White-Ground Lekythos (Oil Vessel): Atalanta and Erotes

500–490 BC

attributed to Douris

(Greek, Attic, active c. 500–470 BC)

Ceramic

Overall: 31.8 cm (12 1/2 in.)

Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund 1966.114

Location

Did you know?

Eros, god of love, appears three times on this vase.

Description

Known as "white-ground" because of the white clay slip applied as a surface for figural decoration, vases of this type give some idea of the appearance of lost ancient large-scale wall paintings. Both remarkably well preserved and masterfully composed, the images cover the entire circumference of the vase. At the center, Atalanta, the virgin huntress renowned for both her speed and her opposition to marriage, races to the right while looking back at Eros, the winged god of love; both figures are named. This Eros, bounding forward, tries to crown her, while two additional Erotes (also named) further hem her in. Love will win.

Video

The Atalanta Lekythos
See also
Collection: 
GR - Greek
Department: 
Greek and Roman Art
Type of artwork: 
Ceramic
Medium: 
Ceramic

Contact us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email [email protected].

To request more information about this object, study images, or bibliography, contact the Ingalls Library Reference Desk.

All images and data available through Open Access can be downloaded for free. For images not available through Open Access, a detail image, or any image with a color bar, request a digital file from Image Services.