ticketsMember | Make a donation

Terracotta amphora (jar)

Attributed to the Berlin Painter
ca. 490 BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 157
Obverse, young man singing and playing the kithara
Reverse, judge

This work is a masterpiece of Greek vase-painting because it brings together many features of Athenian culture in an artistic expression of the highest quality. The shape itself is central to the effect. Through the symmetry, scale, and luminously glossy glaze on the obverse, it offers a carefully composed three-dimensional surface that endows the subject with volume. The identity of the singer is given by his instrument, the kithara, which was a type of lyre used in public performances, including recitations of epic poetry. The figure on the reverse is identified by his garb and wand. While the situation is probably a competition, the subject is the music itself. It transports the performer, determines his pose, and causes the cloth below the instrument to sway gently.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Terracotta amphora (jar)
  • Artist: Attributed to the Berlin Painter
  • Period: Late Archaic
  • Date: ca. 490 BCE
  • Culture: Greek, Attic
  • Medium: Terracotta; red-figure
  • Dimensions: H. 16 5/16 in. (41.50 cm)
  • Classification: Vases
  • Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1956
  • Object Number: 56.171.38
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

Audio

Cover Image for 830. Terracotta amphora (jar), Part 1

830. Terracotta amphora (jar), Part 1

0:00
0:00
We're sorry, the transcript for this audio track is not available at this time. Please email info@metmuseum.org to request a transcript for this track.

    Listen to more about this artwork

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Stamnos fragments
Berlin Painter
ca. 470 BCE
Berlin Painter, Terracotta, Greek, Attic
On loan to The Met
Berlin Painter
5th century BCE
Terracotta lekythos (oil flask), Berlin Painter, Terracotta, Greek, Attic
Terracotta lekythos (oil flask)
Berlin Painter
ca. 480 BCE
Terracotta stamnos (jar), Berlin Painter, Terracotta, Greek, Attic
Terracotta stamnos (jar)
Berlin Painter
ca. 490 BCE
Terracotta lekythos (oil flask), Berlin Painter, Terracotta, Greek, Attic
Terracotta lekythos (oil flask)
Berlin Painter
ca. 480 BCE

Related Content

Perspectives

Articles, audio, and video from The Met's online magazine.

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Showing 4 of 5

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Showing 4 of 9

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.