Terracotta bell-krater (bowl for mixing wine and water)
Attributed to Polygnotos
Obverse, kitharode and three male listeners
Reverse, three youths
The principal scene shows a young man performing for three listeners. The instrument is a kithara, the type of lyre used for formal presentation. The artist's concern is to convey the response of each figure, from the deep introversion of the seated man to the gesture of the person behind him. This representation is characteristically classical in its emphasis on a state of being rather than on a narrative event.
This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.
This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.
