Kalpis-Hydria (water jar): Youth Flanked by Two Women

Artists

Description

Red-figure kalpis hydria. Rounded body with ogival foot, torus base and torus mouth. Relatively large side handles, tilting upwards. The scene depicts a nude youth in profile facing right with mantle draped over his left shoulder and forearm. He holds a staff in his left hand. Two women stand on either side. On the left, the woman runs to the left, her body frontal, and her head turned towards the youth. On the right, the woman stands frontal with her head to the left, facing the youth. Both women wear chitons and himations. Both women raise their left arms, bent at the elbows, in an apparent gesture of surprise or alarm, perhaps at the man's presence. Decoration is limited. The figures stand on a groundline consisting of a meander and are framed by a similar band. Preliminary drawings are visible and added red is used throughout for details. Vessel is unbroken with limited chipping.

Dimensions

H. 27.7 cm (10 7/8 in.)

Provenance

Jacob Hirsch (said to come from Gela). Frederick M. Watkins, 1941, bequest; to Fogg Art Museum, 1972.