1. Six Characteristics of the Greek Vase
1.1. 1. horror vacui: the need to fill in every little space with some sort of decoration
1.2. 2. the rigid division of a vase in to rational and balanced order
1.3. 3. the use of geometric shapes: Triangles, Greek meanders, diamonds, and circles are uncommon in Athenian art. Athenian art is recta-linear.
1.4. 4. The three horizontal lines: three lines that separate each change of decoration
1.5. 5. The most important scene is placed between the handles where the vase swells out. this brings the scene into the viewers space and the handles frame it.
1.6. 6. people and animals on vase on the vases are constructed out of crude geometric parts. this is a reflection of a lack of art skills, but it is still very attractive
2. Black Figure Technique
2.1. Technique
2.1.1. 1. make a vase and air dry it, then paint the images and scenes on the vase in an engobe
2.1.2. 2. The vase is then fired in a kiln with lots of oxygen (the vase turns red).
2.1.3. 3. sawdust or manuer is added and the vase turns black.
2.1.4. 4. the sawdust chips off and the vase turns red except the places painted with the engobe remain black.
2.2. Characteristics
2.2.1. unrealistic
2.2.2. details are scratched in so the lines are straight instead of curved
2.2.3. detailing is limited and difficult
2.2.4. emotions are shown through actions
2.2.5. lots of close detailing can cause the clay to chip and crack
3. Exkias vs Andochides
3.1. Exekias' vase of Achilles and Ajax
3.1.1. the shields at the sides of the vase look like curtains and the two lines at the top of the vase draw attention to the scene going on that bottom
3.1.2. Achilles is on the left and he looks slightly bigger than Ajacks to show he is the better warrior.
3.1.3. Achilles is also wearing his helmet while, Ajack's helmet is on his shield.
3.1.4. the characters are hunched over
3.2. Andochides' vase of Achilles and Ajax
3.2.1. more expressive
3.2.2. bilingual amphora- one side is done in red figure and the other in black figurethe scene is the same but both helmets are on their shields
3.2.3. Achilles looks smaller because the society is beginning to focus more on human rather than gods,so because Achilles and Ajax both had the same fate of death they are now the same size
3.2.4. more symmetrical
3.2.5. the characters are more upright an d the spears are farther away from the table and cut into the top two lines
3.3. Similarites
3.3.1. Both of these beautiful vases represent the great story of Ajax and Achilles in Homer's the Illiad. Achilles is on the left and Ajax is on the right, both resting and playing a game instead of participating in combat. In both these vases it shows the connection to the rise of Greek literature. Also, each character on both vases are shown with an archaic smile. A smile that show that they have accepted their fate and are now at peace. They both have spears pointing to the box on which Ajax's and Achilles are playing a game of dice. This game of dice represents a game of chance, just like war.
4. Three waves of Greek
4.1. Aeolians
4.2. Ionians
4.3. Dorians
4.3.1. The Art of Dark Ages
4.3.1.1. Architecture
4.3.1.2. Frescoes
4.3.1.3. Scultpture
4.3.1.4. Ceramics
4.3.1.4.1. Hydria
4.3.1.4.2. Lekythos
4.3.1.4.3. Krater
4.3.1.4.4. Amphora
4.3.1.4.5. Kylix
4.3.1.4.6. Oenochoe
5. Red Figure Style
5.1. Technique
5.1.1. 1. Take the vase and draw the image(s)
5.1.2. 2. Then paint around the image with the black engobe (leaving the figures red).
5.1.3. 3. Then use the same black engobe to paint in the details
5.2. Characteristics
5.2.1. more expressive
5.2.2. more realistic
5.2.3. easier to paint very fine detail
5.2.4. lines can overlap
5.2.5. easy to show emotion; more natural lookinig