Obverse, satyr and maenad at a hermReverse, three draped youths
The Pisticci Painter is significant as the artist with whom the introduction of red-figure painting into Lucania is connected. As this work indicates, he was well familiar with Attic conventions. Of note in this representation is the kerykeion (herald's staff) on the side of the herm. The kerykeion is one of the attributes of Hermes, the messenger god who also presided over boundaries. The addition of this symbol emphasizes the presence of Hermes in the scene, even though he is not actually depicted.
