The Amasis Painter

Ovoid lekythos – Women Weaving

White text: p.33-34

Black text: p.29-31

Shape: Ovoid lekythos Function: Used to hold

oil, funeral offeringsPainter: Amasis PainterPotter: AmasisTechnique: black figureDate: c.550 B.C

Amasis Amasis is thought have been of Egyptian

background. Amasis is the Greek form of the Egyptian name “Ahmosis”.

He signed 8 black-figure vases, but approximately 90 others are unsigned, but attributed to him.

All Amasis’s vases were decorated by the same artist, who never signed his name.

The Amasis Painter

• The Amasis Painter has a style which is unique. He was the first decorator to paint purely human decorations, showing everyday scenes.

• In these domestic scenes he does not paint heroic figures or the usual depictions of entertainment.

• He did paint Dionysos scenes as well, however.

• The consistent co-operation between potter and painter on all these vases, along with the lack of a second signature has led scholars to assert that Amasis the potter and the Amasis Painter were one and the same.

• These lekythoi belong to the early part of Amasis’s career – see Dating.

Dimensions

Height: 17cm

Ovoid Lekythos shape

Amasis made this shape often, but he also made amphorae. These two lekythoi are amongst his earliest surviving works.Many vases of this shape were used for carrying oil at funerals, but these vases, because of their subject matter, are thought to have been wedding gifts, and therefore primarily for household use.

Lower Frieze – subject matter

Amasis paints an everyday scene of women weaving

In the centre of the scene, two women work the upright loom. One pushes the shuttle across the loom while the other

beats the wool fibre into position

One woman (unseen), loads wool onto the scales, while her partner holds the scales to

weigh the wool.

Two women fold the finished cloth

One woman spins the wool

Another unravels wool into the basket, ready for spinning

See p.30 Black for full frieze

Upper Frieze – subject matter

They are approached by more youths, who seem to be bringing gifts

A seated woman is shown in between two youths. She holds a circular object.

The gifts, and the circular object, which also appears with a bride in Amasis’ wedding scene lekythos, suggest that this is a wedding.An unusual band

of mirrored diamonds separates the two friezes

Both of them are arranged symmetrically

Two friezes encircle the vase

All of the women are shown in pairs, except one (under the handle at rear) who is directing the others

Most of the figures fill the height of the frieze, except the weavers, who are shorter

Composition

Emphasis on vertical lines: women standing; the shape of the loom

Painting Technique

White slip used for female flesh

Poses are varied, but still limited to figures in profile

Embroidered decoration on the peplos has been incised through the black slip

Innovation?

Figures cartoonish

and lacking detail

Dating

The figures are blobby and lack detail

Drapery is flat and foldless

Figures are shown in profile, and there is little attempt to suggest movement

Early Part of Amasis’ career