Athenian Red-figure calyx Krater

 Artist- Niobid Painter
Year- 450 BCE
Dimensions and material-1’9”, 22 inches in diameter.
Place- Orvieto, Italy
Niobid painter was an artist in the late 5th century and was especially interested in krater bowl shaped pottery and sculpture.  Niobid was a red figure style technique painter and an ancient Athenian. In this particular pot notice how the handles are at the bottom of the vase and the wide-oval bowl shaped opening at the top of the pot. Interesting enough, the images displayed on the pot are very graphic and definitely have a story to tell. On one side of the Krater is an illustration of a murder or slaying of the niobids, or the children of niobe. “ Niobe, who had at least a dozen children , had boasted that she was superior to the goddess Leto, who had only two offspring, Apollo and Artemis(Kleiner,122)”. The story being illustrated is to depicting a story teaching Niobe a lesson that no mortal could be superior or above a God or Goddess. If you look closely at the pot or vase, it is clear that a slaughter is present utilizing bow and arrows. This piece of art is important because it brings innovation and a great historical perspective to the table about mortals and god or goddess’s.  It also teaches us that in the 5th century, ones behavior or mentality could possibly end not only your life but your loved ones. I chose this image because it depicts a different story for the audience. The brainstorming of god’s and goddess’s is intriguing and grabs readers attention swiftly.(http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/415804/Niobid-Painter)