Terracotta lekythos (oil flask)
Gigantomachy (battle of the gods and giants), with Hermes and Athena
In Athens, vases of this type were closely connected with funerary rites because of the importance of oil in preparing the body for burial and as an offering at the grave. This battle scene between the Olympian gods and the earth-born giants is painted in a modification of the black-figure style that uses a thin coat of white clay as background.
In Athens, vases of this type were closely connected with funerary rites because of the importance of oil in preparing the body for burial and as an offering at the grave. This battle scene between the Olympian gods and the earth-born giants is painted in a modification of the black-figure style that uses a thin coat of white clay as background.
Artwork Details
- Title: Terracotta lekythos (oil flask)
- Artist: Attributed to the Athena Painter
- Period: Archaic
- Date: 1st quarter of 5th century BCE
- Culture: Greek, Attic
- Medium: Terracotta; black-figure, white-ground
- Dimensions: H. 6 3/4 in. (17.1 cm)
- Classification: Vases
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1907
- Object Number: 07.286.68
- Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art
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