Achilles Painter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Achilles Painter
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| Born |
Unknown. Name assigned by Beazley after a theme of Achilles painted on a Lekythos in the Vatican Museums.
Before 470 BC Probably Athens
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| Died | About 425 BC |
| Nationality | Greek |
| Education | Berlin Painter's workshp |
| Known for | Pottery-making, vase painting. He took over the Berlin Painter's workshop. |
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Notable work
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Over 200 vases, mainly funerary lekythoi |
| Movement | red-figure style, white ground technique |
The Achilles Painter was a very talented ancient Greek artist. He painted beautiful designs on pottery vases. He worked from about 470 BC to 425 BC. We don't know his real name. He was given the name "Achilles Painter" because of a famous vase he decorated. This vase shows the Greek hero Achilles. It is now in the Vatican museums.
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Who Was the Achilles Painter?
The Achilles Painter was a skilled vase-painter. He was active for about 45 years. His most famous vase is an amphora, a type of tall jar. It shows the hero Achilles. He is wearing armor and holding a spear. On the other side of the vase, a woman is pouring a special offering. This vase was made around 450–445 BC.
A famous expert named J. D. Beazley studied ancient Greek vases. He believed the Achilles Painter created over 200 vases. Most of these were lekythoi. A lekythos is a special type of oil flask. These were often used in funerals.
His Art Styles
The Achilles Painter used two main styles. One was the red-figure style. In this style, the figures are red, and the background is black. The other was the white-ground style. For this, the vase was covered with a white layer. Then, the artist drew figures on top of the white.
Learning and Teaching Art
The Achilles Painter learned his skills from another great artist. This teacher was known as the Berlin Painter. The Achilles Painter was one of his last students.
Later, the Achilles Painter took over the Berlin Painter's workshop. Many young artists came to learn from him. The Phiale Painter was his most famous student. Other artists who trained there included the Westreenen Painter and the Persephone Painter.
Why His Art is Important
Experts like Beazley thought the Achilles Painter was a master. He was especially good at the white-ground lekythos. His red-figure vases are also very beautiful. They have a calm and serious look. His best white-ground vases are considered masterpieces of ancient drawing.
In 1962, the country of Greece even put one of his white-ground lekythos designs on a postage stamp. This shows how important his art is.
Where Vases Were Discovered
Many vases painted by the Achilles Painter have been found. They were discovered in different places. These include:
- Athens, Greece (at the Acropolis and Ceramicus)
- Various cities in Italy, like Capua and Taranto
- Places in Sicily, such as Selinis and Enna
- Other regions like Attica, Eretria, and Euboea
See also
In Spanish: Pintor de Aquiles para niños
