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Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Water Jar (Hydria)
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
© Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami. All rights reserved.

Water Jar (Hydria)

Artist/Maker (Greece, active 525-500 BCE)
Dateca. 575-500 BCE
Mediumpottery and paint
DimensionsOverall: 16 5/8 x 12 3/8 x 10 3/8 in. (42.2 x 31.4 x 26.4 cm)
ClassificationsContainers
Credit LineMuseum purchase through funds from Colonel C. Michael Paul
Terms
    Object number92.0052
    DescriptionThe principal narrative of the painting on this hydria, Achilles and Ajax playing dice in the presence of Athena, was one of the most popular subjects for vases in Athens during the 6th century BCE. Presumably, the representation originated with Exekias (active ca. 545-530 BCE), the greatest of Athenian black-figure vase painters, whose designs, however, excluded the goddess Athena, protector of the Athenian nation and the patron goddess of warriors. Exekias left an empty space where Athena stands to heighten the tension of the great warriors preoccupied with a game while war was to be waged, as their armor suggests (usually one doesn't play a board game with spears in hand!). Not an incident from Homer's Iliad but likely a local myth, the story loses some of its drama by the addition of armored Athena, who turns toward Achilles, a favorite of hers, and encourages both heroes to rise and fight, thereby fulfilling their duty and fate. Her presence foretells victory; whether she was seen or not, Achilles and Ajax would have sensed she was with them. Greek gods, it was believed, provided motivation to human beings, courage to warriors. Touches of purple and white slightly enliven the black silhouettes of the figures and objects. In Greek art, goddesses, like women, were painted white. The inscriptions name the participants and record the dialogue between the intent players.
    On View
    On view
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Rycroft Painter and Shop
    ca. 525-510 BCE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    late 19th to early 20th century (printed 1992)
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    C Painter
    ca. 570-565 BCE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Jacob Jordaens
    ca. 1620-1625
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Moche
    100-800
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Central Highlands/Atlantic Watershed
    ca. 1000-1550
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Antonio Argenti
    ca. 1895
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    ca. 525-500 BCE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Miami Painter
    ca. 600-575 BCE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Dan people
    20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    late 19th to early 20th century (printed 1992)