An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
White-Ground Lekythos (Oil Vessel): Atalanta and Erotes500–490 BCE
Douris
Known as "white-ground" because of the white clay slip applied as a surface for figural decoration, vases of this type give some idea of the appearance of lost ancient large-scale wall paintings. Both remarkably well preserved and masterfully composed, the images cover the entire circumference of the vase. At the center, Atalanta, the virgin huntress renowned for both her speed and her opposition to marriage, races to the right while looking back at Eros, the winged god of love; both figures are named. This Eros, bounding forward, tries to crown her, while two additional Erotes (also named) further hem her in. Love will win.
Eros, god of love, appears three times on this vase.
ceramic
Overall: 31.8 cm (12 1/2 in.)
Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund
Imagine standing before an elegant vase, its surface smooth and gleaming with a soft white glow. This isn’t just any vase; it is a “white-ground” masterpiece, distinguished by its delicate white clay slip that acts as a canvas for vibrant figural decorations. As you peer closer, the intricate artwork transports you to an era long vanished, echoing the grandeur of lost ancient wall paintings that once adorned magnificent spaces.
The images command attention, wrapping around the entire circumference of the vessel, telling a story with their masterful composition. At the heart of this narrative stands Atalanta, the celebrated virgin huntress, embodying both grace and determination. She is a figure of remarkable speed, her athletic form poised as she races toward the right. Yet, in a moment of defiance, her eyes flicker back to a familiar figure, Eros—the winged god of love, forever intertwined in her tale.
Eros leaps forward, his wings outstretched, a glimmer of mischief in his gaze as he reaches out to crown her. His intentions are bold, brimming with the sweetness and chaos that love often brings. Surrounding them, two Erotes flit about, mirroring Eros's pursuit, subtly urging Atalanta toward the love that awaits. Each stroke of their presence weaves an intricate thread into the fabric of desire and promise.
With every glance at this vase, one can't help but feel the tension between independence and romance, a struggle as old as time itself. Atalanta's swift legs carry her forward, but the power of love, personified by the playful Eros, beckons her back. In this beautifully captured moment, the ancient myth whispers a profound truth: love will always find a way to win.
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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