Terracotta column-krater (bowl for mixing wine and water)
Obverse, Theseus about to slay the Minotaur, flanked by Nike (the personification of victory) and Ariadne
Reverse, three youths
According to legend, Theseus, the most important Athenian hero, lived at a time when King Minos of Crete was exacting tribute from Athens. Every year seven youths and seven maidens were sent from Athens to Crete to be shut up in a labyrinth to die of starvation or be devoured by the Minotaur, a monster that was half man and half bull. Theseus accompanied the victims, slew the Minotaur, and escaped from the labyrinth with the help of King Minos' daughter, Ariadne.
Reverse, three youths
According to legend, Theseus, the most important Athenian hero, lived at a time when King Minos of Crete was exacting tribute from Athens. Every year seven youths and seven maidens were sent from Athens to Crete to be shut up in a labyrinth to die of starvation or be devoured by the Minotaur, a monster that was half man and half bull. Theseus accompanied the victims, slew the Minotaur, and escaped from the labyrinth with the help of King Minos' daughter, Ariadne.
Artwork Details
- Title: Terracotta column-krater (bowl for mixing wine and water)
- Artist: Attributed to the Alkimachos Painter
- Period: Classical
- Date: ca. 460 BCE
- Culture: Greek, Attic
- Medium: Terracotta; red-figure
- Dimensions: Overall: 15 3/8 x 14 15/16in. (39 x 38cm)
- Classification: Vases
- Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1956
- Object Number: 56.171.46
- Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art
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Alkimachos Painter
ca. 470–460 BCE
Alkimachos Painter
mid-5th century BCE
Greek, South Italian, Apulian
3rd quarter of the 4th century BCE
Greek, South Italian, Apulian
3rd quarter of the 4th century BCE
Hirschfeld Workshop
ca. 750–735 BCE
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