What is Black Figure Pottery?Black-figure pottery painting, also known as the black-figure style or black-figure ceramic is one of the styles of painting on antique Greek vases. It was especially common between the 7th and 5th centuries BC, although there are specimens dating as late as the 2nd century BC. Stylistically it can be distinguished from the preceding orientalizing period and the subsequent red figure pottery style.
Figures and ornaments were painted on the body of the vessel using shapes and colors reminiscent of silhouettes. Delicate contours were incised into the paint before firing, and details could be reinforced and highlighted with opaque colors, usually white and red. The principal centers for this style were initially the commercial hub Corinth, and later Athens and Italy. Particularly in Italy individual styles developed which were at least in part intended for the Etruscan market. Greek black-figure vases were very popular with the Etruscans, as is evident from frequent imports. Greek artists created customized goods for the Etruscan market which differed in form and decor from their normal products. |
Different periods of the technique
OrientalizingDuring this period artists still worked in these horizontal bands of decoration, but the imagery was becoming more sophisticated. This example shows various animals and mythological creatures around the entire vase. |
GeometricMost early Greek painters painter’s decorated vases exclusively with abstract motifs. They would create horizontal bands around the vase and create abstract geometric patterns. This example is rare in that it also depicts abstracted figurative scenes as well. ArchaicIn the archaic period the paintings got more detailed and began depicting scenes from many different myths.
The figures became more realistic, and Greek labels began showing up on the artwork. Many artist began to become well known for their personal style and from breaking the rule of the Horizontal bands. |
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