4.3 Iconography and narrative scenes

Greek pottery iconography tells stories through symbols and scenes. From gods to daily life, these images give us a peek into ancient Greek culture. They show what mattered to people back then and how they saw the world.

The way these scenes were painted changed over time, getting more detailed and lifelike. Different pot shapes had different scenes, matching how they were used. This mix of art and function makes Greek pottery a window into the past.

Iconography in Greek Pottery

Common Iconographic Elements and Their Meanings

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• Iconography refers to the visual images and symbols used to convey meaning in art, including on Greek pottery
• Common iconographic elements on Greek pottery include mythological figures (gods like Zeus, heroes like Herakles), animals (lions, bulls, horses), plants (palmettes, lotuses), and geometric patterns (meanders, zigzags)
• Different iconographic elements are often associated with specific deities or heroes, such as the thunderbolt for Zeus, the trident for Poseidon, or the lyre for Apollo
• Attributes like clothing (himation, chiton), hairstyles (long hair for youth, beards for mature men), and objects held by figures (spears, staffs) can also serve as iconographic elements to identify specific characters or convey social status
• The use of color (black, red, white) and techniques like black-figure or red-figure also contribute to the iconographic meaning and visual impact of the scenes depicted

Techniques and Styles in Greek Pottery Iconography

• Greek potters and painters employed various techniques to create iconographic elements on their vessels
• Black-figure technique involved painting figures and decorations in black slip on a red clay background, with details incised or added in white or purple
• Red-figure technique, developed later, reversed this process by leaving the figures in the red color of the clay and painting the background black
• Artists also used white-ground technique, particularly on lekythoi, to create a white background for more detailed and colorful paintings
• The style of iconographic elements evolved over time, from the more abstract and geometric forms of the Geometric period to the naturalistic and expressive figures of the Classical period
• Advancements in perspective, foreshortening, and shading allowed for more realistic and emotionally engaging iconography in later periods

Narrative Scenes on Greek Pottery

Types of Narrative Scenes

• Narrative scenes on Greek pottery often illustrate stories from mythology (Trojan War, adventures of Odysseus), epic poetry (works of Homer and Hesiod), or daily life
• Common mythological scenes include the Labors of Herakles (defeating the Nemean Lion, capturing Cerberus), the Trojan War (Achilles and Hector, Judgment of Paris), and exploits of gods and heroes (Athena and Poseidon's contest for Athens, Perseus and Medusa)
• Scenes from daily life may depict activities such as athletics (running, wrestling, javelin throwing), symposia (drinking parties with music and games), weddings (bridal processions, wedding feasts), or funerary rituals (mourning, grave offerings)
• Other narrative scenes may represent historical events (battles, political meetings), religious festivals (Panathenaic procession), or theater performances (actors in costume)

Techniques for Conveying Narrative

• The arrangement and interaction of figures, their gestures (outstretched arms, pointing fingers), and facial expressions (wide eyes, open mouths) contribute to the narrative and emotional content of the scene
• Artists used techniques like synoptic narrative (showing multiple moments of a story in a single scene, like Achilles pursuing Troilos) or continuous narrative (a sequence of scenes, like the stages of a wedding) to convey complex stories
• Inscriptions naming figures (kalos inscriptions praising beautiful youths) or providing commentary (speech scrolls) can aid in interpreting the narrative content of a scene
• The placement of scenes on different parts of a vessel (handles, neck, body) could also contribute to the narrative structure or create a visual hierarchy of importance
• Repeated iconographic elements or visual parallels between scenes could create thematic connections or contrasts within the overall narrative of the vessel

Iconography and Vessel Function

Relationship Between Iconography and Function

• The iconography on a Greek vessel often relates to its intended function or the context in which it would be used
• Symposium vessels like kraters (mixing bowls) and kylikes (drinking cups) frequently feature scenes of drinking, music, or revelry, reflecting their use in social gatherings
• Funerary vessels like lekythoi (oil flasks) and grave markers (stelai) often depict scenes related to death, mourning, or the afterlife, such as the laying out of the deceased (prothesis) or Charon ferrying souls across the river Styx
• Vessels used as prizes in athletic competitions, like Panathenaic amphorae, feature scenes of the relevant sporting events (chariot racing, running, boxing) and an image of Athena on the other side
• Nuptial vases like lebetes gamikoi (marriage bowls) or loutrophoroi (water jars for bridal baths) often depict wedding processions or scenes of women adorning themselves for marriage

Social and Political Messages in Iconography

• Iconography could also convey social or political messages, reflecting the values or ideals of the society
• The use of Amazons (mythical female warriors) or Persians to represent the "other" in Athenian art reinforced Athenian identity and superiority
• Depictions of women in domestic settings (weaving, child-rearing) or as subordinate to men in public spaces reflected and reinforced gender roles and expectations
• Scenes of battles or heroic exploits could serve as political propaganda, glorifying the military prowess of a city-state or leader
• Mythological scenes could also be used allegorically to comment on contemporary political events or to promote certain virtues and ideals

Greek Culture and Pottery Iconography

Insights into Ancient Greek Culture and Beliefs

• Greek pottery iconography provides valuable insights into ancient Greek culture, beliefs, and values
• Mythological scenes reflect the importance of religion and the role of gods and heroes in Greek society, demonstrating their power, influence, and interaction with mortals
• Depictions of daily life activities, like athletics or symposia, shed light on social practices, gender roles (separation of male and female spheres), and cultural values (the importance of physical fitness, male bonding, and intellectual discourse)
• The prevalence of certain iconographic themes, such as the Trojan War or Herakles, demonstrates the popularity and cultural significance of these stories as shared cultural touchstones and models of heroism or virtue
• Representations of non-Greeks, such as Thracians or Scythians, reveal Greek attitudes towards foreigners and the construction of cultural identity through contrast with the "other"

Diachronic Changes and Influences

• Changes in iconography over time can reflect shifts in artistic style (from Geometric abstraction to Classical naturalism), cultural attitudes (increasing representation of women in public spheres), or political climate (the use of Persian iconography after the Persian Wars)
• The export of Greek pottery and its iconography to other regions of the Mediterranean world (Etruria, Magna Graecia, Black Sea) contributed to the spread and influence of Greek culture and the adoption or adaptation of Greek iconographic elements by other cultures
• The study of pottery iconography, in conjunction with literary sources (epic poetry, drama, historical texts) and other archaeological evidence (sculpture, architecture), helps to construct a more comprehensive understanding of ancient Greek society and thought
• The influence of Greek pottery iconography can be seen in the art of later periods and cultures, from the Roman adaptation of Greek myths and imagery to the Renaissance fascination with classical antiquity and the enduring popularity of Greek mythological themes in modern art and popular culture