Fragments of a terracotta calyx-krater (mixing bowl)
Very close in style to the work of the Dolon Painter
Obverse, Herakles and Busiris
Reverse, Dionysos and Ariadne
Dionysos was not only the god of wine, he was also intimately connected with ancient theater. The obverse depicts the popular subject of the Egyptian king Busiris who was preparing to sacrifice the Greek hero Herakles and was overcome instead. The representation probably reflects a satyr play. On the reverse, Dionysos reclines on a couch with Ariadne in an architectural interior that, like the obverse, indicates a stage setting.
This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.