Bowdoin College Museum of Art | - Fragment of a Black-Figure Neck Amphora

Preview image of work. terracotta, Fragment of a Black-Figure Neck Amphora 1201

1913.25.1

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Fragment of a Black-Figure Neck Amphora

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Artist

Artist Unidentified

Title

Fragment of a Black-Figure Neck Amphora

Creation Date

575 BCE-550 BCE

Century

6th century BCE

Dimensions

4 3/4 in. x 8 1/4 in. x 3/16 in. (12 cm. x 21 cm. x 0.5 cm.)

Object Type

ceramic

Creation Place

Ancient Mediterranean, Greece

Medium and Support

terracotta

Credit Line

Gift of Edward Perry Warren, Esq., Honorary Degree, 1926

Copyright

Public Domain

Accession Number

1913.25.1

This fragment depicts two Greek hoplites, or warriors, with shields and spears attacking a common foe (wearing a different style of helmet), while a youth on horseback looks on. In rendering the battle between the hoplites, the vase painter elected to illustrate their shields from three points of view to add a sense of depth to the composition. The warrior on the right presents the outer surface of his shield to the viewer allowing the artist to use a compass to execute the perfect circle. The centering point and scored concentric rings on the shield are plain to see. In contrast, the pose of the hoplite on the left, exposing the shield’s interior with its straps and handles, did not lend itself to the use of the drawing tool. Consequently, the rim of the shield was rendered free hand and the line wavers.

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