Terracotta neck-amphora (jar) with twisted handles

Kleophrades Painter

ca. 490–480 BCE · Terracotta · Greek and Roman Art

Obverse, Apollo; reverse, Herakles: the struggle for the Delphic tripod In the Archaic tradition, depictions of the struggle for the Delphic tripod emphasize the narrative: Herakles comes to Delphi to carry off the tripod, which is central to the sanctuary's prophetic activity; Apollo, the presiding deity, keeps firm hold of it. By contrast, the Kleophrades Painter emphasizes the protagonists rather than the action: Apollo moves purposefully, asserting himself simply by raising his right hand; Herakles has possession of the tripod, which he appears to defend with his club. The outcome is conveyed by the characterization of the figures.

Artist

Kleophrades Painter

Date

ca. 490–480 BCE

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Greek, Attic

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1913