Red Figure Technique ( Herakles And The Nemean Lion )

Although these two vessels, one in the Black-figure technique (Theseus and the Minotaur) and the other in Red-figure technique (Herakles and the Nemean Lion), have very distinct styles and techniques, they also have key similarities, that with closer analysis, reveal more about Greek values than was originally known. Showing us how Greek art had not only developed over time, but also providing an understanding as to why Greeks found scenes of heroes battling monsters so popular. However, before we can begin to discuss why Greeks found scenes of heroes battling monsters so popular, we must first explore the two vessels individually (without the artwork). Firstly, the Black-figure jar (Theseus and the Minotaur). With further research, we find the title of this work is, â€Å"Attic Black-Figure Neck Amphora,† and it is attributed to Group E (workshop of Exekias), dated approximately 550 B.C.E. Athens, Greece. The medium is terracotta, and it is an amphora, meaning a storage jar , most likely used to store wine or oil. Similarly, the Red-figure jar (Herakles and the Nemean Lion) was also made of terracotta, but instead of storing wine or oil, it is said to have been a hydria, meaning it was more like a water pitcher. Titled the â€Å"Attic Red-Figure Kalpis†, we find that the artist was probably an Aegisthus painter, who lived in Athens, Greece, around 470 B.C.E. As previously stated, both vessels were terracotta jars, however, in order to achieve the black-figure, and red-figure