From ancient workshops dotted around the
Greek colonies of southern Italy (known
in antiquity as Magna Graecia), artists
rivaled with one another in friendly
competition. This lovely amphora bears
stylistic similarities to the "H.A"
painter. Fashioned in the Panathenaic
shape, it has laurel leaves and berries
in white on the mouth. On the neck are
black palmettes and a tongue pattern
around the shoulder--all characteristics
of the "H.A" painter, as is the style of
the figures. This amphora was probably
part of furniture interred in a chamber-
tomb. On one side, a man is making an
offering to a seated woman. The same
male figure appears on the reverse,
where he faces another man, both with a
hand clasped over the top of a staff.
This may represent the spirit saying
farewell to his earthly body. He then
receives his last blessing on earth from
a goddess, or perhaps his spouse, before
departing into the spirit world. The
figure making the offering seems to be
lifting from the ground, and the cloak
over his shoulder flutters as if about
to take flight. Despite the somber
theme, there is a sense of joy and
liberation. With delicacy and refinement
a prominent painter in sunny Apulia has
given us a glimpse into the mysteries of
the spirit.
- (PF.3445)
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