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Terracotta calyx-krater (bowl for mixing wine and water)

Terracotta calyx-krater (bowl for mixing wine and water). Culture: Greek, Attic. Dimensions: H. 15 5/8 in. (39.7 cm) diameter 16 3/4 in. (42.5 cm). Date: ca. 450-440 B.C.. Above, obverse and reverse, Herakles, Theseus, and Perithoos in Hades Below, obverse, Apollo and Tityos; reverse, Zeus and giant This important vase illustrates one of the stories that would have been sung or recited. To atone for having killed his wife and children in a fit of madness, Herakles entered the service of King Eurystheus of Tiryns, who imposed twelve tasks on him. The most difficult was to fetch Kerberos, the watchdog of the underworld. In the upper zone, Herakles with his guide, Hermes, stands beside Theseus and Perithoos, who were punished for attempting to carry off Persephone. Hades, the king of the underworld, is shown behind Perithoos. Around the circumference of the vase appear other heroes known chiefly from the Iliad and the Odyssey, each with his name inscribed. The two scenes in the lower zone depict further mythological punishments.
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Title:
Terracotta calyx-krater (bowl for mixing wine and water)
Caption:
Terracotta calyx-krater (bowl for mixing wine and water). Culture: Greek, Attic. Dimensions: H. 15 5/8 in. (39.7 cm) diameter 16 3/4 in. (42.5 cm). Date: ca. 450-440 B.C.. Above, obverse and reverse, Herakles, Theseus, and Perithoos in Hades Below, obverse, Apollo and Tityos; reverse, Zeus and giant This important vase illustrates one of the stories that would have been sung or recited. To atone for having killed his wife and children in a fit of madness, Herakles entered the service of King Eurystheus of Tiryns, who imposed twelve tasks on him. The most difficult was to fetch Kerberos, the watchdog of the underworld. In the upper zone, Herakles with his guide, Hermes, stands beside Theseus and Perithoos, who were punished for attempting to carry off Persephone. Hades, the king of the underworld, is shown behind Perithoos. Around the circumference of the vase appear other heroes known chiefly from the Iliad and the Odyssey, each with his name inscribed. The two scenes in the lower zone depict further mythological punishments.
Technique/material:
Terracotta; red-figure
Period:
classical
Museum:
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA
Credit:
Album / Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY
Releases:
Model: No - Property: No
Rights questions?
Image size:
4100 x 3695 px | 43.3 MB
Print size:
34.7 x 31.3 cm | 13.7 x 12.3 in (300 dpi)
Keywords: