Achilles Painter

Oedipus and the Sphinx, amphora by the Achilles Painter, Staatliche Antikensammlungen (SL 474).

The Achilles Painter, was a vase-painter active ca. 470-420 BC. His name vase is an amphora in the Vatican museums depicting Achilles. Sir John Beazley attributed over 200 vases to his hand, the largest share being red-figure and white-ground lekythoi. In his middle phase (ca. 450-445 BC), he decorates more open forms. The Achilles Painter was a late pupil of the Berlin Painter.

The Phiale Painter became the Achilles Painter's most prominent student after he assumed the Berlin Painter's workshop. Almost a dozen other recognizable painters passed through the Achilles Painter's workshop as well. Notable painters include the Westreenen Painter, the Persephone Painter, the Clio Painter, Loeb Painter, and the Dwarf Painter. The Kleophon Painter, the Sabouroff Painter, and the Painter of Munich 2335 all spent time at the workshop as well.

Appraisal

Beazley describes him thus:

"He is the great master of the white lekythos. His red-figure vases nearly always have a sober beauty, but few of them–like the pointed amphora in the Cabinet des Médailles–reach the height of his best white lekythoi, which are among the masterpieces of ancient drawing."

In 1962, Greece issued a stamp featuring the decoration of an Achilles Painter white-ground lekythos.

Findspots

• Acropolis, Athens
• Ceramicus, Athens
• Capua, Italy
• Pisticci, Italy
• Taranto, Italy
• Selinis, Sicily
• Enna, Sicily
• Attica
• Eretria
• Euboea

External links

• John H. Oakley, "The Achilles Painter"
• Artcyclopedia - The Achilles Painter