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Red-figured plate, signed by Epiktetos as painter

-520/-510

British Museum

British Museum
London, United Kingdom

The painter of this plate was Epiktetos, who worked in both the black- and red-figure techniques. His painting is of an exceptionally high standard. He was particularly skilled in creating compositions that perfectly fill the circular tondo of a cup or plate. Here, the way the archer moves to the left, but looks back over his shoulder as he goes, gives the design both a tremendous sense of movement and a central balance and stability. The archer's bare feet tread the tondo border as though he were spinning in a wheel, while the positioning of bow, quiver and arrow help to complete the design. The painter's neatly-written signature to left and right of the archer adds to the decorative effect. The archer's costume is similar to that of the archer on a plate signed by the painter Psiax (also in The British Museum), but more intricately patterned, and his cap suggests the influence of Persian rather than Scythian fashions.

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  • Title: Red-figured plate, signed by Epiktetos as painter
  • Date Created: -520/-510
  • Physical Dimensions: Diameter: 19.50cm; Height: 1.90cm; Diameter: 19.05cm
  • External Link: British Museum collection online
  • Technique: painted
  • Subject: amazon; archer
  • Registration number: 1837,0609.59
  • Production place: Made in Attica
  • Producer: Painted by Epiktetos
  • Place: Found/Acquired Vulci
  • Period/culture: Attic
  • Material: pottery
  • Copyright: Photo: © Trustees of the British Museum
  • Acquisition: Purchased from Bonaparte, Lucien
British Museum

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