White-Ground Lekythos (Oil Vessel): Atalanta and Erotes

Description

Known as "white-ground" because of the white clay slip applied as a surface for figural decoration, vases of this type give some idea of the appearance of lost ancient large-scale wall paintings. Both remarkably well preserved and masterfully composed, the images cover the entire circumference of the vase. At the center, Atalanta, the virgin huntress renowned for both her speed and her opposition to marriage, races to the right while looking back at Eros, the winged god of love; both figures are named. This Eros, bounding forward, tries to crown her, while two additional Erotes (also named) further hem her in. Love will win.

Provenance

The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1966-)

White-Ground Lekythos (Oil Vessel): Atalanta and Erotes

Douris

500–490 BCE

Accession Number

1966.114

Medium

ceramic

Dimensions

Overall: 31.8 cm (12 1/2 in.)

Classification

Ceramic

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund