This vase provides a rare example of the painting of marble sculpture—a common practice in antiquity. At work on a marble statue of Herakles, the artist is recognizable by his cap and garment, an exomis, which affords maximum coolness and freedom of movement. Two steps of the process of painting sculpture can be distinguished in this scene. First, the artist uses a spatula-like tool to cover the surface of the statue with a thick paste consisting of mineral-based pigments and wax, here contained in the small vessel held in his left hand. Second, he will carefully blend the colors with the rods being heated in a brazier. To the left of the statue, a young assistant tends the charcoal brazier on which the wax mixture and the tools are being warmed.

To the left is a column, which indicates that the scene takes place inside a sanctuary. The god Herakles, who is invisible to the artisans, approaches from the right. Zeus and Nike are seated above. On the reverse of the krater, Athena, seated in the center, converses with one of the Dioskouroi, either Castor or Pollux.

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