Lydos (vase painter)

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Lydos ( Greek  ὁ Λυδός ho Lydós , "the Lydian") was an Attic vase painter of the black-figure style . He is the main representative of the Lydos group and was active between 560 and 530 BC. Chr.

Life, work and style

Warrior farewell, Hydria des Lydos around 570/560 BC Chr., Paris, Louvre E 804

The name Lydos, which is handed down as a signature on two vases, provides information about the artist's origin. Either he came to Athens from the Lydian kingdom of King Kroisos or was born in Athens to Lydian parents. In any case, he learned his trade in Athens. To this day it is sometimes difficult to always name the works of Lydos clearly, since he was the center and main artist of an important and very productive Attic pottery workshop. That is why today many vases are called in the Lydos style , as it is often difficult to identify them clearly. Several other artists could be named within this circle, such as the painter from Vatican 309 and the painter from Louvre F 6 . These works are quite homogeneous in style, but often show considerable differences in quality.

The style of Lydos is strongly reminiscent of older artists such as the painters of the Siana bowls , many of whom he painted. He was the last Attic painter to decorate large vases with colorful animal friezes in the Corinthian style. His figures, on the other hand, are reminiscent of the works of Klitia and the painters who followed, whose figures appear to be "wrapped up". In addition, they can have spotted garments, as the Amasis painter preferred to draw, and almost exude the dignity of the figures of Exekias . The Lydos group not only painted large vases, but is also known for their miniature works. For example, small masters and eye cups were painted here. Lydos himself is credited with painting a ribbon bowl that Nikosthenes made. Painting work on all vase shapes made in Kerameikos at that time is attributed to the Lydian, especially a series of grave pinakes .

One of the two signed vases is a dinosaur found on the Acropolis of Athens , which has only been preserved in fragments , which is reminiscent of the works of the painter from Akropolis 606 and Nearchus . The main frieze shows a high quality gigantomachy . Side friezes show a procession, a hunt and animal friezes. Several detail drawings and color schemes are particularly noticeable in this work. Lydos drew a wasp as a shield sign and a dangerous knife in the procession scene. This martial effect is softened by the high quality representation of the animals. Also a particularly well-known work is now in the Metropolitan Museum befindlicher Kolonettenkrater . It is almost as big as the François vase , but only adorned with a single frieze, so that the figures are almost 25 cm high. The painter's interest lies less in the depicted myth (the return of Hephaestus ), but in the gestures of the figures Dionysus and Hephaestus, but above all those of the satyrs and maenads who accompany them . In doing so, he does without minor details, such as those used by Klitias. Also, his satyrs are not depicted in an exhibitionistic way, as is common with the Amasis painter , but rather as "gentlemen".

Lydos often depicts mythical themes and introduces several mythical themes into the repertoire of the Attic vase painters. His representations vary in quality. He often depicts so-called "penguin women". With them, the coats are held together in front of their chests, probably by being wrapped around them, and run out at the back in a kind of "tail". He often depicts men dressed in himations , which he identifies with diagonal stripes so that they appear bandaged. The oinochoe ( Berlin, Antikensammlung F 1732) made by the potter Kolkhos shows mannered figures. Athena (who supports Herakles in the fight against Cyknos ) he reproduces in outline drawings in the style of the Amasis painter, the robes of Ares and Zeus (who joins the fight) are first attempts, which were made around 540 BC. To use newly developed three-dimensional drawing style. His palmettes , which adorn the neck and handles of the vessel, are on the one hand late forms of this form of representation, on the other hand they ring in the ornamental forms of the red-figure epoch . Lydos's best work also includes several plates, which he decorates with running and flying figures. He completely fills a plate with a gorgoneion . In his early works he shows a tendency towards color, which he shed more and more in the course of his creative period. At first he also pays particular attention to certain details such as the hairy buttocks of cats, later he pays more attention to the gestures of the figures. His animals appear a bit wooden, but are generally very decorative.

Lydos painted vases by various potters, as well as vessels from Nikosthenes and Kolkhos, as well as works by Epitimos or Amasis . The style of his workshop, although no longer relevant, still worked well into the 20s of the 6th century BC. After. The reason for this can no longer be clarified today; the program may have been aimed at older or poorer customers. The last painter whose style is reminiscent of Lydos is the Ready painter .

Selected Works

literature

Web links

Commons : Lydos  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Footnotes

  1. ^ John Boardman: Black-Figure Vases from Athens. Philipp von Zabern, Mainz 1977, p. 58.
  2. ^ Athens, National Museum Akr. 607
  3. ↑ Inventory number 11/31/11
  4. ^ John Boardman: Black-Figure Vases from Athens. Philipp von Zabern, Mainz 1977, p. 58.
  5. ^ John Boardman: Black-Figure Vases from Athens. Philipp von Zabern, Mainz 1977, p. 59.
  6. ^ John Boardman: Black-Figure Vases from Athens. Philipp von Zabern, Mainz 1977, p. 59.
  7. ^ John Boardman: Black-Figure Vases from Athens. Philipp von Zabern, Mainz 1977, p. 59.
  8. ↑ Attic Black-Figure Amphora. J. Paul Getty Museum , Malibu, accessed July 20, 2019 .
  9. ↑ Terracotta column krater (bowl for mixing wine and water). Metropolitan Museum of Art , New York, accessed July 20, 2019 .
  10. ↑ five vases. Louvre , Paris, accessed July 20, 2019 (French).
personal data
SURNAME Lydos
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Λυδός (Greek)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Attic vase painter of the black-figure style
DATE OF BIRTH before 560 BC Chr.
DATE OF DEATH after 530 BC Chr.