A red-figure calyx-krater from Troizen

Abstract

A fragmentary red-figure calyx-krater was found in a salvage excavation at the area of Troizen’s eastern cemetery. Hephaistos returning to Olympos on muleback, accompanied by Dionysos and members of his thiasos, is depicted on the surviving part of the body. The configuration of the scene and the drawing style point to the workshop of the Pronomos Painter, active in the late 5th and early 4th centuries BC. The vase was most probably fashioned shortly after the beginning of the 4th century, as is indicated by specific features in its shape. The scene belongs among the few late depictions of Hephaistos’ Return in Attic vase painting, as the great majority of other known examples date from the 6th and 5th centuries BC. The representation follows the norms of the established iconography of the subject, while also exhibiting some innovative features: the figures are set at various levels, an arrangement creating the illusion of depth and perhaps reflecting influences from monumental painting; Hephaistos and Dionysos are portrayed as nude beardless youths, whereas in earlier or contemporary representations of this subject matter they are normally draped and bearded; a Nike flying above Dionysos and lending the procession a triumphant character appears for the first time in this scene.