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Attic Red-Figure Pelike Fragment

Creator

Painter

Artist

In the early 400s B.C., the Geras Painter worked in Athens, decorating vases in the red-figure technique. He specialized in pelikai but also decorated other shapes. Several of his surviving vases depict Herakles, satyrs, and herms. Although the Geras Painter was not a very skilled draftsman, his paintings are often whimsical and imaginative. As with most ancient artists, the true name of the Geras

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Date: about 480–470 B.C.
Medium: Terracotta
Culture: Greek (Attic)
Department: Vessels
Institution: Getty Museum

Exterior: death of Argos. Hermes, in a black-bordered chitoniskos, chlamys, and winged boots, strides to left. The ends of his hair and the tip of his beard are visible, but his head, back, and much of his right leg are missing. He grasps Argos by the krobylos and stabs him through the neck. Argos, nude, his body covered with eyes, grabs Hermes' sword in his left hand, and extends his right. His name is inscribed (added red) above his head. Behind Argos and Hermes stands Io in the form of a bovine, facing right. At right, Zeus sits on his throne, watching the attack. Only his legs and scepter are preserved. An eagle stands at Zeus's feet. Interior, black. The fragment belongs with 86.AE.198.1-.3 and 86.AE.199.7-.9. Adapted from Neer, R., CVA Malibu 7 (1997).

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