THE FRANCOIS VASE.

By Gabby and Moira. IMPORTANT: Please switch off all mobile phones and refrain from any loud eating. Also we ask for all rubbish to be disposed of sensibly. Have a sunny day.

Attribution details

When: 570BCSize: 66cm (height)Potter: ErgotimosPainter: Kleitias• Both the potter and the painter signed their names around

the centre of the chief frieze - ‘Ergotimos/Kleitias made me’

The shape

• Handles joins vase from third band of body to top of rim

• Curled handles (volutes)

• Volute krater for mixing wine and water at symposiums• Revolutionary shape and decoration - earliest example

Composition

• 270 human and animal figurines (121 inscribed with names) squeezed into six bands

• Rows of mythological creatures: griffins, sphinxes, gorgons• Exotic vegetal motifs: lotus and palmette (Orientalising

period)• Empty spaces filled (labels or objects)

Composition

• Painted decoration directly inspired by Corinthian miniaturist style that was in vogue during Orientalising period

Differs from the Lydos Column Krater: The Francois Vase has several small friezes packed with figures

whereas the Lydos is one large, elegantly painted narrative where figures are arranged in a more formal composition.

Decoration on Handles- Under the handle of the vase- Ajax carries the dead Achilles- Painter has intricate knowledge of

myths and literatures, particularly scenes of the Trojan War (Homer: Illiad)

SIDE A1. Calydonian Boar Hunt

2. Funeral Games of Patrocles

3. Marriage of Peleus and Thetis

4. Pursuit of Troilus

5. Griffins

6. Decorative: Rays

7. Battle of Pygmies and Cranes

Side A – First Band (neck)

1. Calydonian Boar Hunt

King Oeneus insults Artemis by not sacrificing to her she sends Boar to Calydon Boar ravages countryside people take refuge in city and begin to starve Meleager gathers band of heroes (Peleus and Atalanta)

Boar losing: 1. Bent Knees, it is being attacked from behind2. The hunters are running at the boar from both sides, spears raised,

ready to attack

Side A - second band (neck) 2. Funeral games of Patroclus

Myth behind the games: Achilles refused to help Agamemnon and the Greeks fight. His best friend Patroclus did want to fight so secretly borrowed Achilles’ armour but he was killed in battle. Achilles was grief stricken by the death of his best friend and held magnificent funeral games in his honour.

Funeral games• This scene is connected thematically with the death of Achilles

under the handle of the vase – Ajax carries the dead Achilles, soon after death of his friend Patroclus.

Narrative technique:• Show of direction – Achilles and horses are all going in the same

direction which gives the idea of a procession.• Movement – the horses’ front legs are lifted in mid-air, indicating

forward movement.

NB: The item beneath the horse’s legs is a tripod – a bowl on three legs.• It was placed there as a prize for the winner of the games and

also to fill empty space below the horse.

Side A and B (around whole vase) – Third band

3. Marriage of Peleus and Thetis

All the major gods are visiting newlyweds Peleus and Thetis. The myth is that Zeus and Poseidon had both wanted to marry Thetis but they heard a prophecy that her son would overthrow his father. So they married her to Peleus who was a mortal, and their son was Achilles – the greatest hero of the Trojan War.

Marriage of Peleus and ThetisDionysus is also shown at the marriage ceremony and can be identified by:• He carries a wine jug• Vine branch above him• 3 female figures to his left – personified

seasonsIt is fitting that he appears in this scene as god of joyful celebrations.

Flesh of females:• The flesh of females in Ergotimos’ Francois Vase is white, whereas

Lydos’ were black.

Side A – Fourth Band (body)4. Pursuit of Troilus by Achilles

Prophecy: Troy would not fall is Troilus reached his 20th bday Achilles waited by Fountain house (urged on by Athena and guarded by Hermes) Troilus fled to sanctuary of Apollo Achilles killed him on the Altar = Apollo helped Paris kill him later

Workbook info – Pursuit of Troilus (pg 7)

- Linked to funeral games held by Achilles for Patrocles - Seated figure is King Priam (father of Troilus)- He is old because: holding a staff, and bearded with with

long hair

- Extra narrative technique:1) Youth collects water from the fountain house2) Troilus is riding a horse and only part of Achilles is shown3) Brothers, Hector and Polites, prepare to go out and help

Troilus, can be seen leaving through the door.

SIDE B1. Theseus – liberation dance

2. Battle: Centaurs and Lapiths

3. Marriage of Peleus and Thetis

4. Return of Hephaistos

5. Lion vs Stag & Lion vs Bull

6. Decorative: Rays

7. Battle of Pygmies and Cranes

Side B – First band of Neck

1. Theseus – liberation danceLegend of Theseus:Athenians were forced by King Minos to send a tribute of seven youths and seven maidens to be exposed to the minotaur in his Labyrinth. After slaying the monster, Theseus led them all out with a ball of string from Ariadne (Minos’ daughter). Then he and the fourteen celebrate their deliverance with a dance.• In this scene Phaidimos jumps overboard of ship (triakonter)

and another swims to the beach to join the dance.

Side B – Second Band (neck) 2. Battle Between the Lapiths and Centaurs

The Centaurs were invited by the Lapiths to the wedding of King Pirithous. However the Centaurs became quite drunk and tried to carry off the bride and women of the Lapiths. King Pirithous pursued them, along with others including Theseus the dashing Hero that he was), the defeated the Centaurs who were then forced to live in the forbidden forest of Italy. Later the save Harry in his quest for the Philospher’s stone.

Side B – fourth band (body)4. Return of Hephaestus

Hephaestus was rejected from Mt Olympus by his mother, Hera because he was a cripple. In this scene he rides a donkey following Dionysus who got him drunk and convinced him to return to Mt. Olympus.

The half-man half-goats are satyrs which are associated with Dionysus.

Narrative technique:• The first satyr is bent over with

the weight of his load• (Drunken?) Smile on

Hephaestus’ face• All figures face the same

direction - procession

Side A and B - (base/foot of vase)5. Battle of Pygmies and Cranes

This scene is one of the earliest known depictions of ‘The Geranomachy’ – battle between pygmies and cranes. Pygmies were armed with slings and sticks, and are known to be from Africa, India or Scythia. According to Homer – cranes fly to the southern stream of the ocean to attack the pygmies.