Terracotta volute-krater (vase for mixing wine and water)

Capodimonte Painter

ca. 320–310 BCE · Terracotta · Greek and Roman Art

On the body, obverse, assembly of gods above Amazonomachy Reverse, youth in naiskos (shrine) between youths and women On the neck, obverse, woman with torches leading Nike in chariot On the handles, heads of Io and young Pans The Capodimonte Painter was a follower of the Baltimore Painter, one of the most prolific late Apulian artists. Although they produced vases of diverse shapes and sizes, these artists are associated most often with large works virtually the whole surface of which is decorated. The vase becomes a kind of compendium of iconography and patternwork. It is important to recall that antiquarians of the eighteenth century first encountered Greek vasepainting in examples such as this one, discovered in 1785 and acquired by the king of Naples for his palace at Capodimonte. Although imperfectly understood, the vases were recognized as ancient and impressive; they quickly became objects of study and acquisition.

Artist

Capodimonte Painter

Date

ca. 320–310 BCE

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Greek, South Italian, Apulian

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Fletcher Fund, 1956