C.E. With this particular piece, the artist was less concerned with anatomical description than with the problems of foreshortening in the figures and of showing them from different viewpoints. The turning and twisting of the figures indicate that the artist was beginning to view them as three-dimensional volumes with free mobility in a space deeper than the flat, two-dimensional surface of a picture plane, a significant departure from the pre-Greek tradition. Essentially, the representations on the black figure panel amphora were obviously inspired by the Homeric epic of the Iliad, a poem which relates the famous tale of the attack by the Greek army on the city of Troy. The character of Achilles is by far the most important, for he was considered the best of the Greeks and without equal, the mighty warrior and pre-eminent holder of the Greek principle of excellence in all things. As he engages in battle with Prince Memnon, the body of the injured and perhaps dying Antilochus lies prostrate on the ground between the two enemies. Both Achilles and Prince Memnon are carrying spears and shields and are wearing the typical Greek plumed helmet. The two female figures, described as mourning mothers, are certainly mere onlookers to what is occurring before them and stand quite helpless as Achilles and Price Memnon fight one another for supremacy on the battlefield. The central motif of the curvilinear snake appears to be the shield of the figure...
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now