Greek Attic Red-Figure Pelike - Washington Painter

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Ancient / Ethnographic From Around the World

By Artemis Gallery

Jun 20, 2019

Set Reminder 2019-06-20 10:00:00 2019-06-20 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Ancient / Ethnographic From Around the World https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/ancient-ethnographic-from-around-the-world-4217
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• Lot Description
  Greece, Attic, attributed to the Washing Painter, ca. 480 to 460 BCE. An attractive pelike of a classic form with a characteristically sagging belly, finely painted by the Washington painter in the red-figure technique. This form was invented after the red-figure technique was introduced and continued to be created into the 4th century BCE. It is shown on vase paintings in use as a container for liquids. On this example, Side A features two draped women who face one another in profile. The figure on the left holds an alabastron and the figure on the right holds a large casket. On Side B we see one draped male figure presenting a patera in his outstretched arm. Above both figural scenes is a decorative band of tongues. Size: 6" in diameter at widest point x 7.625" H (15.2 cm x 19.4 cm)
  
  According to John Boardman, the Washing Painter was particularly adept at depicting the lives of women and their role in preparation for marriage or in cult rituals. He is named for a small hydria depicting women washing. Boardman calls him a good draughtsman. Though identified as a Classical painter, Boardman points out that, "the close-set undulating lines on women's dress, and the way in which, on some figures, the lines even begin to break into curlicues" are understood as "hallmarks of the florid style to come." (John Boardman, "Athenian Red Figure Vases: The Classical Period" - Thames & Hudson: London, 1989, p. 97)
  
  Perhaps the most exciting innovation in Greek vase painting was the red-figure technique, invented in Athens around 525 BCE and beloved by other artists of Magna Graecia. The red-figure technique allowed for much greater flexibility as opposed to the black-figure technique, for now the artist could use a soft, pliable brush rather than a rigid metal graver to delineate interior details, play with the thickness of the lines, as well as build up or dilute glazes to create chromatic effects. The painter would create figures by outlining them in the natural red of the vase, and then enrich these figural forms with black lines to suggest volume, at times perspectival depth, and movement, bringing those silhouettes and their environs to life.
  
  For other red-figure vase paintings by the Washington Painter see John Boardman, "Athenian Red Figure Vases: The Classical Period" - Thames & Hudson: London, 1989, figures 208-213.
  
  Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-private Scottsdale, Arizona, USA collection, acquired at auction in the 1980s to 1990s
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
  A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
  
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  #143935

  Condition

  Areas of repair to rim and body with restoration over the break lines. Head of the woman at the left may be restored. Expected surface wear/abrasions with a few scuffs, nicks, and pitted areas as shown. Nice root marks visible on interior.
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