So I’m just wondering how prevalent “bilingual” vase painting was-- I have seen one example on an amphora made by Andokides-- black figure on red ground on one side and red figure on the other. Was this a transitional style? Does black figure totally go out of style? Does Euphronios or any of that crowd do black figure at all?
Meanwhile, debate time: I [heart] Exekias. Red figure style is just too blunt and flashy with no subtlety. Talk me out of this conviction.
Exekias is the win. The Vatican amphora is enough to make anyone a fan.
Bilinguals were seen as a transitory style between Attic BF and RF. BF continued to be used for Panathenaic prize amphora pretty late - into the Roman period, I believe. These vases, usually filled with oil, were given to winners of the various contests at the games. They always depict Athena on one side (which side she faces changes and the reasons are up for debate) and the contest on the other - hoplitodromos, sprint, etc.
Bilinguals only enjoyed a short proliferation as RF took over and BF continued in its ceremonial role. I am certain that at least a few from the Pioneer group employed both techniques but I forgot who. I’ll delve into my literature.
Bilingual vases often have small differences between the RF and BF sides. I hypothesized in class that it may be to show a movement or a passage of time. I don’t think this is any kind of academically accepted idea, but I’m rather fond of it anyways. There is an Ajax & Achilles bilingual – they’re canonically seated and playing a game, like the scene in the Vatican amphora – where on one side, their helmets are removed and their two spears are off and set aside, while the other side shows their helmets on (but raised above the brow) and spears slung over shoulder, as if they are getting ready to leave or have just arrived.
On Sarpedon: if you want a glorious red figure to change your mind, check out the Euphronios Krater. It depicts Hypnos and Thanatos carrying Sarpedon off while Hermes watches over them. My nephew will be painting this scene on my motorcycle jacket this summer (I have a Hermes thing).
Now don’t you feel knowledgeable? What an expert!
Interesting about the later ceremonial BF use-- sort of a traditional, old school valence. Like having blackletter script on diplomas and the like. Interesting.
I’ll have to look at other bilingual examples and think about our time suggestion. I’m interested in narrative and there might be something there.
Aw shucks. I owe it all to Dr. P, who likely doesn’t even know he turned me on to this stuff. He’s probably forgotten more about Attic vase painting than Euthymides ever knew.
Found out: The Achilles Painter (trained under the Berlin Painter) worked in RF, BF, and produced some funerary white ground as well. I had to dig around for that one though - the Achilles Painter’s RF kinda sucks compared to the Berlin Painter IMO, so I’d forgotten about him. I pretty well dislike most Classical RF. Too busy for my tastes. (And gilding, blegh!)
White ground rocks, though - it has a very Art Nouveau feel to it, I always thought. Very pretty. Unfortunately very fragile too.