Singing Reveler (Epiktetos) facts for kids

The Singing Reveler is a special ancient Greek painting found inside a round (or "tondo") drinking cup made of terracotta. Terracotta is a type of baked clay. This amazing artwork was painted by an artist named Epiktetos around 520 to 510 BC. Today, you can see this cup at The J. Paul Getty Museum. The cup is about 3 inches tall and 9 to 10 inches wide.

The Singing Reveler Cup

What is the Singing Reveler?

The Singing Reveler is a circular painting, also known as a tondo. It's painted on the inside bottom of a terracotta cup. Imagine drinking from a cup and seeing a detailed picture at the very end! This cup was made by a skilled artist named Epiktetos. He was known for his beautiful vase paintings. The cup was created a very long time ago, over 2,500 years ago, during the time of ancient Greece.

What Does the Painting Show?

The painting shows an older man who is relaxing on a couch. He looks like he is singing! He has less hair on his head, and he's wearing a long cloak. The scene probably takes place at a social gathering, which the ancient Greeks called a symposium. These gatherings were important events where people would meet to talk, share ideas, listen to music, and enjoy themselves.

How Was This Cup Used?

Cups like the Singing Reveler were made especially for these symposiums. Artists often decorated them with scenes that showed people having fun or enjoying the party. When someone finished drinking from the cup, they would see the painting at the bottom. It was a fun surprise and part of the experience!

The Artist's Clever Solution

Painting a scene inside a perfect circle, like the tondo of this cup, was a challenge for artists. It was hard to make figures look natural and upright in a round space. But Epiktetos was very clever! He used the couch the man is lying on as a straight line to help guide the eye. He also made the man's cloak look like it was slipping off the couch. This trick helped create a feeling of depth and space in the painting. The museum where the cup is kept says that Epiktetos even used the circular edge of the painting as part of his design. For example, the man's pillow rests on the circle, and he props his foot right on it! This shows how smart and creative ancient Greek artists were.