Painter of Berlin A 34
Encyclopedia
The Painter of Berlin A 34 was a vase painter during the pioneering period of Attic
black-figure vase painting. His real name is unknown, his conventional name derived from his name vase
in the Antikensamlung Berlin. He is the first individual vase painter of the style in Athens
recognised by scholarship. His works are dated to circa 630 BC. Two of his vases were discovered in Aegina
. Since the 19th century, those pieces were on display in Berlin, but they disappeared or were destroyed during the Second World War.
The artist is considered one of the best representatives of Protoattic vase painting. Following ancient tradition, he executed the faces of his figures as silhouette drawings. Their clothing, as well as decorative rosette
s were applied in red and white paint. He used orientalising zigzag patterns and rosettes. On some of his vases, instead of using the conventional silhouette technique, he applied white paint directly onto a black slip
base. His ornamentation is uniform and resembles contemporary Corinthian vases. His activity probably ceased by 620 BC, as no further vases by him are known. Although he is generally considered a pioneer, the breakthrough of the black-figure technique in Athens was probably achieved only by his successors.
The human figures by the Painter of Berlin A 34 are within the pre-black figure (Geometric and orientalising) vase-painting traditions, but his animals are strongly influenced by contemporary works from Corinth
, although they appear more stiff and strict. His name vase
, Berlin A 34, depicts a procession of several women, which is why he was initially also called the Women Painter, a conventional name now given to an Attic painter of the red-figure style.
Attica
Attica is a historical region of Greece, containing Athens, the current capital of Greece. The historical region is centered on the Attic peninsula, which projects into the Aegean Sea...
black-figure vase painting. His real name is unknown, his conventional name derived from his name vase
Name vase
In classical archaeology, a name vase is a specific "vase" whose painter's name is unknown but whose workshop style has been identified. The painter is conventionally named after the selected "name vase" that embodies his characteristic style, or for one of its distinctive painted subjects, or for...
in the Antikensamlung Berlin. He is the first individual vase painter of the style in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
recognised by scholarship. His works are dated to circa 630 BC. Two of his vases were discovered in Aegina
Aegina
Aegina is one of the Saronic Islands of Greece in the Saronic Gulf, from Athens. Tradition derives the name from Aegina, the mother of Aeacus, who was born in and ruled the island. During ancient times, Aegina was a rival to Athens, the great sea power of the era.-Municipality:The municipality...
. Since the 19th century, those pieces were on display in Berlin, but they disappeared or were destroyed during the Second World War.
The artist is considered one of the best representatives of Protoattic vase painting. Following ancient tradition, he executed the faces of his figures as silhouette drawings. Their clothing, as well as decorative rosette
Rosette (design)
A rosette is a round, stylized flower design, used extensively in sculptural objects from antiquity. Appearing in Mesopotamia and used to decorate the funeral stele in Ancient Greece...
s were applied in red and white paint. He used orientalising zigzag patterns and rosettes. On some of his vases, instead of using the conventional silhouette technique, he applied white paint directly onto a black slip
Slip (ceramics)
A slip is a suspension in water of clay and/or other materials used in the production of ceramic ware. Deflocculant, such as sodium silicate, can be added to the slip to disperse the raw material particles...
base. His ornamentation is uniform and resembles contemporary Corinthian vases. His activity probably ceased by 620 BC, as no further vases by him are known. Although he is generally considered a pioneer, the breakthrough of the black-figure technique in Athens was probably achieved only by his successors.
The human figures by the Painter of Berlin A 34 are within the pre-black figure (Geometric and orientalising) vase-painting traditions, but his animals are strongly influenced by contemporary works from Corinth
Corinth
Corinth is a city and former municipality in Corinthia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Corinth, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit...
, although they appear more stiff and strict. His name vase
Name vase
In classical archaeology, a name vase is a specific "vase" whose painter's name is unknown but whose workshop style has been identified. The painter is conventionally named after the selected "name vase" that embodies his characteristic style, or for one of its distinctive painted subjects, or for...
, Berlin A 34, depicts a procession of several women, which is why he was initially also called the Women Painter, a conventional name now given to an Attic painter of the red-figure style.
Works
- Berlin, Antikensammlung
- Krater A 34
- Athens, Kerameikos-Museum
- Krater 130 • ‘‘Skyphos‘‘-Krater 801