Column Krater (mixing bowl for wine and water): Theseus and Poseidon; Musician and Audience

Artists

Description

On one side: the Athenian hero Theseus visits his divine father Poseidon. Theseus’s mother was Aethra, and ancient sources sometimes consider him to be the son of her husband, Aegeus, but sometimes also make him the son of Poseidon. Poseidon stands at the center of the scene facing towards the right, identifiable by the trident he holds in his left hand, which is so tall that it overlaps the frieze above the scene. He wears a fillet on his head and a cloak (himation) over a long dotted tunic with drapery painted in dilute glaze. He is bearded with long hair. With his right hand he grasps Theseus’s right hand in greeting. Theseus stands facing towards the left, towards Poseidon. He wears a short tunic (chitoniskos) and a fringed shawl over his arms, and a wreath on his head. His legs are exposed with the musculature painted with dilute glaze. He carries a sword in its scabbard, and in his left hand he holds a small round object. He is clean-shaven with short hair tied into a bun and wears a wreath on his head. Behind Theseus is a female figure, at the right of the scene, who can be identified as Amphitrite, the wife of Poseidon. She faces to the left, towards Theseus and Poseidon. She wears a cloak (himation) over a long tunic (chiton), a fillet in her hair, and round dangling earrings. Her right hand is raised and holds up a wreath to crown Theseus, which was painted in added red but is now barely visible. Behind Poseidon, on the left side of the scene, are two more figures who can be identified as the sea god Nereus and one of his daughters, the Nereids. Between the pair there is a doric column, which indicates that this scene is taking place indoors, presumably in Poseidon’s palace. The Nereid stands at the far left, facing towards the right. She holds a black wine jug (oinochoe) in her right hand and a libation bowl (phiale) in her left, which is held at an angle to pour a libation. She wears a long, decorated dress (peplos) and cloak (himation), a hat and fillet in her hair, and black, dangling earrings. Between the Nereid and Poseidon is Nereus, who stands facing the right, towards Poseidon, but with his head turned back towards the Nereid. He wears a tunic (chiton) and a bordered cloak (himation) and leans on a tall staff with his left hand. His hair and beard are cropped short, and rendered in dilute glaze. On the other side: a musician plays a kithara (lyre) among a group of other men. At the left of the scene a young, beardless man wearing a cloak (himation) stands facing towards the right, with his right hand raised towards a bearded man. This man stands facing the right but looks back at the young man. He also wears a cloak (himation) which obscures his arms, and holds a staff in his right hand. In front of him stands another beardless youth who is playing the kithara (lyre). He wears a long garment with a black fringe and a fillet in his hair. His costume suggests that he may be playing the kithara in a competitive, festival context. He holds the large instrument, which intrudes on the frieze at the top of the scene, with his left hand, and his right hand is extended, holding a plectrum, which suggests that he has just plucked the strings. His mouth is slightly ajar, suggesting that he may be singing. In front of the musician, on the right edge of the scene, stands another youth wearing a cloak (himation). He holds a forked staff (rhabdos), which probably indicates he is either a judge or a trainer of the musician. A similar scene of musicians decorates another column krater by the Harrow Painter in a private collection and last put on the market by Sotheby’s New York in 1982 (BAPD 234). Both scenes are framed by friezes of ivy-vines on the sides, black tongues at the top, and a simple reserved orange ground-line. The side of the top rim is decorated with horizontal palmettes on the Theseus side of the vase, and ivy vines on the musician side. The top of the rim is decorated with lotus buds, with elaborate single palmettes on each side where the handles are attached. There is a ray pattern on the lower body.

Dimensions

Height with handles: 49 × Diam with handles:48.5 × Depth: 43 cm (19 5/16 × 19 1/8 × 16 15/16 in.)

Provenance

Found at Ruvo di Puglia (April 1893). Princess di Tricase collection. Garrett Chatfield Pier collection (by 1936), sold; through American Art Association, Anderson Galleries, New York, March 6-7, 1936; to David M. Robinson, Baltimore, MD (1936-1960), bequest; to Fogg Art Museum, 1960.