Greek Attic Vase Painters Analysis

Greek Attic Vase Painters of the fifth century were fascinated by the myths of Gods becoming infatuated with humans. Because of the painters interested in the Myths of God 's falling in love with humans they wished to depict scenes of the two interacting. But emotions are harder to illustrate than actions. For example, on page 19 figure 8, Hercules riding in a chariot driven by Nike and drawn by centaurs is easier to depict because it is an illustration of an action. The problems that faced these artists was trying to depict affection. The Greek attic face painters figured out methods to help illustrate these myths of yearning and desire. The formula that the Greek Attic Vase Painters created is known as the Amorous Pursuit. This flexible …show more content…
On this vase a winged woman is reaching out to a young boy as he runs away from her. The boy is depicted running away from the winged woman with his head looking back towards her. One of his hands is giving a gesture of disagreement to what she is doing. In the boys other hand is a stringed instrument known as a lyre. This vase is said to depict the myth of Eos and Tithonus. It is said that Eos pleaded with Zeus to make Tithonus, who she was infatuated with, live forever. But she did not specify to Zeus that she wished for him to stay young forever. With this mistake Tithonus body began to age to the point where she had to place him inside of a small cage. This is also an example of the loved ones of Gods and Goddess not ending well. The third image that helps us see the formula is on page 59 figure 36. It is titled Boreas pursing Oreithyia. The scene that is depicted on this vase is of a winged man known as Boreas. The woman that is depicted is the Athenian princess Oreithyia. It 's only difference from the two examples above is that the sexes have been switched. Instead of a winged woman chasing after a young boy it is a winged man chasing after a young