Polygnotos a Greek vase-painter in Athens, is considered one of the most important vase painters of the red figure style of the high-classical period. He received his training in the workshop of the Niobid Painter

Niobid Painter

The Niobid Painter was an ancient Athenian potter in the red figure style, named after a krater which on one side shows the god Apollo and his sister Artemis killing the children of Niobe who were collectively called the Niobids. There is some confusion as to what is being depicted on the opposite...

 and specialized in monumental vases, as in the manner of Polygnotos of Thasos, after whom he probably designated himself.

He painted particularly large containers such as stamnoi, krater

Krater

A krater was a large vase used to mix wine and water in Ancient Greece.-Form and function:...

s, hydria

Hydria

A hydria is a type of Greek pottery used for carrying water. The hydria has three handles. Two horizontal handles on either side of the body of the pot were used for lifting and carrying the pot. The third handle, a vertical one, located in the center of the other two handles, was used when...

 and shoulder amphora

Amphora

An amphora is a type of vase-shaped, usually ceramic container with two handles and a long neck narrower than the body...

e, as well as Nolan amphorae and pelike

Pelike

A pelike is a one-piece ceramic container similar to an amphora.It has two open handles that are vertical on their lateral aspects and even at the side with the edge of the belly, a narrow neck, a flanged mouth, and a sagging, almost spherical belly....

.

Beside this famous vase painter two further vase painters have the name Polygnotos. They have become known in the scholarly literature as the Lewis Painter and the Nausikaa Painter.