An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Red-Figure Lekythos (Oil Vessel): Athena Slaying Giant (body); Satyr between Maenads (shoulder)c. 490 BCE
The two separate areas of figural decoration on this vase have been attributed to different painters: the small satyr and maenads on the shoulder to the Berlin Painter; and the larger figures of Athena and the slain Giant Enkelados on the body to the Painter of Goluchow 37. Scholars have named these two painters, whose actual names remain unknown, after other vases they have painted, now in Berlin and Warsaw. The victory of Athena and the Olympian gods over the Giants has been interpreted as a metaphor for the Greek victory over the Persians around the time this vase was made. Thus, although Enkelados appears as a fully armed warrior, he falls in utter and complete defeat—bleeding from multiple wounds, eyes rolling back, sword dropping from his hand.
First attributed to Douris, this vase is now thought to have been painted by two anonymous painters.
ceramic
Diameter: 14.1 cm (5 9/16 in.); Diameter of mouth: 8.7 cm (3 7/16 in.); Overall: 38 cm (14 15/16 in.); Diameter of foot: 10 cm (3 15/16 in.)
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
In a quiet room where the sunlight filters through the window, there lies a remarkable vase, one that speaks not just in paint and clay but in echoes of ancient battles and the artistry of the human spirit. As you turn the vase, it reveals two distinct realms of decoration, each brought to life by the hands of different artisans. It’s as if it holds a conversation between two spirits—one delicate and playful, the other fierce and solemn.
On the upper shoulder of the vase, swirling among the gentle curves, you encounter a small satyr and a group of maenads. These figures, attributed to the Berlin Painter, dance merrily across the surface. Their joy is palpable, capturing a moment of revelry and ecstatic celebration. You can almost hear the laughter and the sounds of ancient flutes, as they weave through the air like the gentle breeze outside.
But as your eyes drift down, the atmosphere shifts dramatically. The larger images begin to emerge—Athena, regal and powerful, stands tall with her armor shimmering in the light, framed against the chaos of a great battle. Opposing her, sprawls the vanquished Giant Enkelados, at the mercy of his overwhelming defeat. This section of the vase is credited to the Painter of Goluchow 37, whose brush tells a story of conflict, sacrifice, and resilience.
Scholars, those diligent keepers of history, suggest that this heroic image of Athena triumphing over the Giants mirrors the struggles of the Greek people against the invading Persians during the vase’s creation. Here, the scenes are not merely decorative; they are laden with deep symbolism—a reminder of victories fought at great cost. Enkelados, though clad in fierce armor, shows the full extent of his downfall; he bleeds from countless wounds, his eyes lost to despair, and his sword slips from his grasp, echoing the fate of many who have faced insurmountable odds.
Each painter, though nameless to us, has left an indelible mark on history. Through their art, they capture the complex tapestry of human experience: joy and sorrow, celebration and defeat, all woven together in a narrative that resonates throughout time. As you ponder this vase and the stories it tells, you realize that within its clay, the essence of humanity is immortalized—each brushstroke a heartbeat, each figure a whisper from the past.
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
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