Terracotta amphora (jar)
Obverse, chariot setting out
Reverse, frontal chariot
Chariot scenes are popular on black-figure vases of the late sixth century B.C. The ample surfaces provided by the newly invented amphora type A, characterized by the flanged handles and foot in two degrees, accommodated the dense compositions. As this work excellently demonstrates, artists were interested in displaying their skill, depicting the chariot in both side and front views. The scene on the obverse differs from that of the departure of Herakles for Mount Olympos only in the nature of the participants. The figures here are Greek hoplites. In the apotheosis of Herakles, the figures are gods, as indicated by their attributes.
Reverse, frontal chariot
Chariot scenes are popular on black-figure vases of the late sixth century B.C. The ample surfaces provided by the newly invented amphora type A, characterized by the flanged handles and foot in two degrees, accommodated the dense compositions. As this work excellently demonstrates, artists were interested in displaying their skill, depicting the chariot in both side and front views. The scene on the obverse differs from that of the departure of Herakles for Mount Olympos only in the nature of the participants. The figures here are Greek hoplites. In the apotheosis of Herakles, the figures are gods, as indicated by their attributes.
Artwork Details
- Title: Terracotta amphora (jar)
- Artist: Recalls the Rycroft Painter
- Period: Archaic
- Date: ca. 510 BCE
- Culture: Greek, Attic
- Medium: Terracotta; black-figure
- Dimensions: H. 20 1/8 in. (51.1 cm)
diameter of mouth 9 in. (22.9 cm) - Classification: Vases
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1906
- Object Number: 06.1021.67
- Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Multiple artists/makers
ca. 530 BCE
Antimenes Painter
ca. 510 BCE
Princeton Group
ca. 540–530 BCE
Berlin Painter
ca. 490 BCE
Leagros Group
ca. 510 BCE
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.