Athenian Black Figure Iconography between 510 and 475 B.C., 2010, 201 p., 22 pl. -

This study deals with the specific iconographic peculiarities of late black-figure vase-painting, mainly on the basis of smaller vessels, which survived in much greater numbers and are particularly yielding for this purpose, therefore. A chapter on pottery production, its techniques, shapes, and distribution is followed by the main chapter. This presents the picture repertory and compares the individual topics with the older tradition and with the contemporaneous red-figure iconography. Typical subjects are representations of deities, heroes, epic cycles as well as cult and daily life. The third part deals with eight representative vase painters [Gela, Edinburgh, Theseus, Athena, Sappho, Diosphos, Emporion, and Beldam Painter], the works and repertory of which are characterized according to defined criteria. In detail, there is a discussion of the choice and treatment of themes, the composition of pictures, the narrative mode, the relation to three-dimensionality, indications of landscape, and the function of epigrams. Altogether, the great richness of late black-figure pottery turns out, which therefore has a rightful place beside red figured pottery.