The Getty Villa

Mixing Vessel with Triptolemos Greek, made in Athens, about 470 BC Terracotta Red-figured footed dinos attributed to the Syleus Painter Inventory # 89.AE.73 Triptolemos, a prince of the city of Eleusis, sits in a fabulous winged snake-drawn chariot. Demeter, who appears behind him with stalks of wheat, gave him the chariot so that he could spread the knowledge of grain cultivation across the world. Her daughter Kore (also called Persephone), stands before him, presenting him with a liquid offering to wish him well on his journey. Text from the Getty Villa museum label.

Storage Jar with a Scythian Warrior Greek, made in Athens, 480-470 BC Red-figured amphora attributed to the Berlin Painter Inventory # 96.AE.98 Glancing anxoiously over his shoulder, a Scythian warrior flees from a Greek foot soldier, who appears on the other side of this vase. The warrior wears a typical Scythian costume: a tall cap; tight, patterned garments; and soft, pointed shoes. He is further identified as a foreigner by his stiff red hair and beard and his snub nose. The Scythians were renowned in antiquity as skilled horsemen and archers. The depictions on this storage jar may refer to the Greek triumph over the Persians in 479 BC, a recent event when the vessel was painted. The Scythians were allies of the Persians during that invasion. Text from the Getty Villa label.

Storage Jar with a Youthful Dancer Greek, made in Athens, about 480 BC Terracotta Red-figured neck amphora attributed to the Berlin Painter Inventory # 86.AE.187 A youthful dancer crowned with an ivy wreath performs while holding a wine cup. The Berlin Painter skillfully captured the body's movements and musculature with a few lines. His compositions often feature a single figure on each side of a vessel, surrounded by an expanse of black glaze. Text from the Getty Villa museum label.

Storage Jar with a Youthful Dancer Greek, made in Athens, about 480 BC Terracotta Red-figured neck amphora attributed to the Berlin Painter Inventory # 86.AE.187 A youthful dancer crowned with an ivy wreath performs while holding a wine cup. The Berlin Painter skillfully captured the body's movements and musculature with a few lines. His compositions often feature a single figure on each side of a vessel, surrounded by an expanse of black glaze. Text from the Getty Villa museum label.

Title: Attic Red-Figure Cup Type B Artist/Maker: Unknown Culture: Greek (Attic) Place: Athens, Greece, Europe (Place created) Date: about 500–490 B.C. Medium: Terracotta Object Number: 86.AE.283 Dimensions: 8.9 × 29.2 cm (3 1/2 × 11Title: Attic Red-Figure Cup Type B Artist/Maker: Unknown Culture: Greek (Attic) Place: Athens, Greece, Europe (Place created) Date: about 500–490 B.C. Medium: Terracotta Object Number: 86.AE.283 Dimensions: 8.9 × 29.2 cm (3 1/2 × 11 1/2 in.) Inscription(s): Inscriptions: tondo: KALOS retrograde, K..LO A: behind the maenad's head: ]D..P[?] retrograde; in front of her KA[ ]OS. Below handle B/A: uncertain letters B: behind the maenad: ALO; in front of the satyr, AL Object Type: Cup I: Two youthful revelers. Each is nude but for a himation. The right one wears a fancy head-dress and holds a large skyphos and a cane. The left figure, who is wreathed and holds a stick, puts his arm around his comrade's shoulder. A and B, each: Satyr and a nude maenad on either side of a column krater. On both sides, the maenad holds a skyphos in her right hand. On B, the satyr dips his drinking vessel in the krater. Text from: www.getty.edu/art/collection/objects/12075/unknown-maker-attic-red-figure-cup-type-b-greek-attic-about-500-490-bc

Title: Attic Red-Figure Cup Type B Artist/Maker: Unknown Culture: Greek (Attic) Place: Athens, Greece, Europe (Place created) Date: about 500–490 B.C. Medium: Terracotta Object Number: 86.AE.283 Dimensions: 8.9 × 29.2 cm (3 1/2 × 11 1/2 in.) Inscription(s): Inscriptions: tondo: KALOS retrograde, K..LO A: behind the maenad's head: ]D..P[?] retrograde; in front of her KA[ ]OS. Below handle B/A: uncertain letters B: behind the maenad: ALO; in front of the satyr, AL Object Type: Cup I: Two youthful revelers. Each is nude but for a himation. The right one wears a fancy head-dress and holds a large skyphos and a cane. The left figure, who is wreathed and holds a stick, puts his arm around his comrade's shoulder. A and B, each: Satyr and a nude maenad on either side of a column krater. On both sides, the maenad holds a skyphos in her right hand. On B, the satyr dips his drinking vessel in the krater. Text from: www.getty.edu/art/collection/objects/12075/unknown-maker-attic-red-figure-cup-type-b-greek-attic-about-500-490-bc

Wine Cup with a Singing Reveler Attributed to Epiktetos Greek, Athens, about 520 - 510 B.C. Terracotta 3 1/16 x 9 15/16 x 7 1/16 to 7 3/16 in. 86.AE.279 Reclining on a couch, an older balding man tilts his head back and sings, accompanying himself on the lyre. Several features of the scene, such as the couch, the pillow, and especially the wreath the man wears, reveal that he is a participant at a symposion or drinking party. Many Greek vases, especially elaborate cups, were designed for use at such parties. Therefore, vase-painters frequently decorated these vessels with scenes of revelry and drinking. The circular area or tondo on the interior of a cup presented problems for Greek vase-painters. It was difficult to fit upright figures in this limited, curving space. Artists devised different solutions for this problem: some drew a line across the circle to create an artificial ground-line for their figures. On this vase, Epiktetos came up with a creative solution. He drew a line across the circle but made it the man's couch, rather than a ground-line. The edge of the man's mantle slipping down behind and below the line, creates the impression of depth and space. Epiktetos also used the circular frame of the tondo as part of the composition: it supports the man's pillow, and he props his foot on it. Text from: www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=14152

Wine Cup with an Athlete Applying Oil Greek, made in Athens, about 510 BC Terracotta Red-figure kylix attributed to the Ambrosios Painter Inventory # 86.AE.298 Text from the Getty Villa museum label.

Wine Cup with a Satyr Greek, made in Athens, about 520-510 BC Terracotta Red-figured kylix attributed to Oltos as painter. Inventory # 86.AE.277 The Greek artist Oltos is best known as an early master of the red-figure vase painting technique, particularly on cups. He cleverly designed the interior of this vessel with a satyr balancing on the decorative border of the tondo while holding a full wineskin. Made of tanned animal skins, wineskins were used to ferment wine from the juice and skin of crushed grapes. Text from the Getty Villa museum label.

Wine Cup with Pentathletes Attributed to the Carpenter Painter Greek, Athens, 510 - 500 B.C. Terracotta with handles 85.AE.25 On the interior of this Athenian red-figure kylix or cup, a seated youth pulls his older male lover down toward him for a kiss. In Athenian aristocratic circles in the Archaic period, older men often courted youths. Such homosexual relationships were viewed as a key element in the socialization of youths, involving strong elements of mentoring as well as eroticism. The exterior of the cup depicts youths and bearded men training in various athletic activities, including the javelin, discus, and long jump. The youth in the long robe playing the flutes provides music for the training. Greek vases of the Archaic period frequently depict favorite pursuits of the aristocratic patrons who used the vessels; scenes of athletic training, another key element in the socialization of Athenian youths, are among the most common. Text from: www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=12906

Wine Cup with a Satyr and a Nymph Greek, made in Athens, 500-490 BC Terracotta Red-figured kylix attributed to Onesimos as painter Inventory # 86.AE.607 The Greek vase painter Onesimos excelled in the decoration of cups. On this example, a curious satyr clambers down a rocky outcrop to investigate a nymph sleeping beneath a wine-skin. Juxtaposing the bestial and the beautiful, the artist inscribed the reason for the satyr's fascination: "the girl is lovely." Text from the Getty Villa museum label.

Wine Cup with a Satyr and a Nymph Greek, made in Athens, 500-490 BC Terracotta Red-figured kylix attributed to Onesimos as painter Inventory # 86.AE.607 The Greek vase painter Onesimos excelled in the decoration of cups. On this example, a curious satyr clambers down a rocky outcrop to investigate a nymph sleeping beneath a wine-skin. Juxtaposing the bestial and the beautiful, the artist inscribed the reason for the satyr's fascination: "the girl is lovely." Text from the Getty Villa museum label.

Wine Cup with a Dancing Reveler Attributed to the Ambrosios Painter Greek, Athens, about 510 B.C. Terracotta 4 7/16 x 14 x 10 13/16 in. 86.AE.280 Dancing revelers decorate this Athenian red-figure cup. On the interior, a youthful reveler, naked except for a wreath in his hair and a short cloak over one arm, dances and flourishes his walking stick, a mark of Athenian aristocratic dandies. This lone figure finds his companions in the ten other youths encircling the exterior of the cup. These similarly outfitted youths twist their bodies into elaborate poses with their energetic dancing. Vase-painters in the last decades of the 500s B.C. were interested in accurately portraying the human body in movement and in different postures. The unknown artist of this cup exploited the potential in this scene of revelry for showing the body in a variety of poses. This cup is unusual in that the interior of the cup, except for the small circle of black glaze surrounding the dancing figure, is covered in a coral-red glaze. A rare and difficult technique, coral-red glaze is known from only about sixty surviving vases. This intentional red color, much brighter than the normal reddish color of Athenian clay, was achieved through precisely controlled firing of the vases and was probably expensive to produce. Text from: www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=14153

Wine Cup with a Dancing Reveler Attributed to the Ambrosios Painter Greek, Athens, about 510 B.C. Terracotta 4 7/16 x 14 x 10 13/16 in. 86.AE.280 Dancing revelers decorate this Athenian red-figure cup. On the interior, a youthful reveler, naked except for a wreath in his hair and a short cloak over one arm, dances and flourishes his walking stick, a mark of Athenian aristocratic dandies. This lone figure finds his companions in the ten other youths encircling the exterior of the cup. These similarly outfitted youths twist their bodies into elaborate poses with their energetic dancing. Vase-painters in the last decades of the 500s B.C. were interested in accurately portraying the human body in movement and in different postures. The unknown artist of this cup exploited the potential in this scene of revelry for showing the body in a variety of poses. This cup is unusual in that the interior of the cup, except for the small circle of black glaze surrounding the dancing figure, is covered in a coral-red glaze. A rare and difficult technique, coral-red glaze is known from only about sixty surviving vases. This intentional red color, much brighter than the normal reddish color of Athenian clay, was achieved through precisely controlled firing of the vases and was probably expensive to produce. Text from: www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=14153

Wine Cup with a Reveler Attributed to Makron Greek, Athens, about 480 B.C. Terracotta 2 15/16 to 3 1/8 x 9 7/8 x 7 5/8 in. 86.AE.292 A reveler dances away the night, holding onto his cup with one hand and his walking stick with the other. Many Greek vases, especially elaborate cups, were designed for use at symposia or drinking parties. Therefore, vase-painters frequently decorated these vessels with scenes of revelry and drinking. Consuming the wine in the cup revealed the joyous dancer at its bottom. The circular area or tondo on the interior of a cup presented a compositional problem for Greek vase-painters. It was difficult to place upright figures in this limited, curving space. Some artists placed decidedly linear figures in the circular space or drew a line across the circle in order to create an artificial ground-line for their figures. Others, like the artist Makron on this cup, clearly were trying to work out innovative compositions. By means of carefully positioned limbs, he managed to give the dancing reveler an almost circular outline, echoing its frame. Text from: www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=14165

Wine Cup with a Reveler Attributed to Makron Greek, Athens, about 480 B.C. Terracotta 2 15/16 to 3 1/8 x 9 7/8 x 7 5/8 in. 86.AE.292 A reveler dances away the night, holding onto his cup with one hand and his walking stick with the other. Many Greek vases, especially elaborate cups, were designed for use at symposia or drinking parties. Therefore, vase-painters frequently decorated these vessels with scenes of revelry and drinking. Consuming the wine in the cup revealed the joyous dancer at its bottom. The circular area or tondo on the interior of a cup presented a compositional problem for Greek vase-painters. It was difficult to place upright figures in this limited, curving space. Some artists placed decidedly linear figures in the circular space or drew a line across the circle in order to create an artificial ground-line for their figures. Others, like the artist Makron on this cup, clearly were trying to work out innovative compositions. By means of carefully positioned limbs, he managed to give the dancing reveler an almost circular outline, echoing its frame. Text from: www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=14165

Title: Attic Red-Figure Cup Artists/Makers: Douris (Greek (Attic), active 500 - 460 B.C.) and Python (Greek (Attic), active about 500 - 480 B.C.) Culture: Greek (Attic) Place: Athens, Greece (Place Created) Date: about 480 B.C. Medium: Terracotta Object Number: 86.AE.290 Dimensions: 11.9 × 38.9 × 31.2 cm (4 11/16 × 15 5/16 × 12 5/16 in.) Inscription(s): Inscription on A: HIΠOΔAMA[. KAΛOΣ ("Hipoodamas is beautiful), and B: HIΠOΔAMAΣ [..]ΛO[. ("Hippodamas is beautiful"). Inscription on tondo: ΔΟΡΙΣ [.]ΓΡΑΦΣΕΝ ("Douris painted [it]"). Alternate Titles: Wine Cup with a Boy Holding a Lyre (Display Title) Courting Scenes (Published Title) Department: Antiquities Classification: Vessels Object Type: Cup Relationships between youths and older men were a central component of ancient Athenian aristocratic society. These relationships could have a sexual or amorous aspect, with the youth characterized as the beloved and his elder the lover, but they also encompassed education and preparation for adult life. On the exterior of this drinking cup, men – marked as mature by their beards – stand before seated youths. The nature of their interaction is made clear by the hare presented by one of the men. Hares were popular love gifts in Athenian society, symbolic of pursuit, and in a second pairing, another hare sits tamely on the lap of a youth. Lyres, sponges, string bags with knucklebones, and oil jars (aryballoi) hang in the background. These suggest key locations of male social activity – the gymnasium and symposium – and in turn the values to which these youths will aspire – physical prowess and cultured performance. On the interior of the cup, a man and youth stand toe-to-toe. Their relationship seems to have moved beyond the preliminary giving of gifts depicted on the exterior. The youth stands demurely, swathed in his cloak, under the gaze of his elder. He holds a tortoise-shell lyre, as though ready for instruction. Explore this object and others in the exhibit Pride at the Getty on Google Arts & Culture Text from: www.getty.edu/art/collection/objects/12082/douris-and-python-attic-red-figure-cup-greek-attic-about-480-bc

Title: Attic Red-Figure Cup Artists/Makers: Douris (Greek (Attic), active 500 - 460 B.C.) and Python (Greek (Attic), active about 500 - 480 B.C.) Culture: Greek (Attic) Place: Athens, Greece (Place Created) Date: about 480 B.C. Medium: Terracotta Object Number: 86.AE.290 Dimensions: 11.9 × 38.9 × 31.2 cm (4 11/16 × 15 5/16 × 12 5/16 in.) Inscription(s): Inscription on A: HIΠOΔAMA[. KAΛOΣ ("Hipoodamas is beautiful), and B: HIΠOΔAMAΣ [..]ΛO[. ("Hippodamas is beautiful"). Inscription on tondo: ΔΟΡΙΣ [.]ΓΡΑΦΣΕΝ ("Douris painted [it]"). Alternate Titles: Wine Cup with a Boy Holding a Lyre (Display Title) Courting Scenes (Published Title) Department: Antiquities Classification: Vessels Object Type: Cup Relationships between youths and older men were a central component of ancient Athenian aristocratic society. These relationships could have a sexual or amorous aspect, with the youth characterized as the beloved and his elder the lover, but they also encompassed education and preparation for adult life. On the exterior of this drinking cup, men – marked as mature by their beards – stand before seated youths. The nature of their interaction is made clear by the hare presented by one of the men. Hares were popular love gifts in Athenian society, symbolic of pursuit, and in a second pairing, another hare sits tamely on the lap of a youth. Lyres, sponges, string bags with knucklebones, and oil jars (aryballoi) hang in the background. These suggest key locations of male social activity – the gymnasium and symposium – and in turn the values to which these youths will aspire – physical prowess and cultured performance. On the interior of the cup, a man and youth stand toe-to-toe. Their relationship seems to have moved beyond the preliminary giving of gifts depicted on the exterior. The youth stands demurely, swathed in his cloak, under the gaze of his elder. He holds a tortoise-shell lyre, as though ready for instruction. Explore this object and others in the exhibit Pride at the Getty on Google Arts & Culture Text from: www.getty.edu/art/collection/objects/12082/douris-and-python-attic-red-figure-cup-greek-attic-about-480-bc