Visual Analysis of a Museum Object (Essay Sample)

VISUAL ANALYSIS OF ATTIC PANATHENAIC AMPHORAE Name Class Information Date The Panethanaic Games were significant cultural and athletic festivals held in Athens in ancient Greece. This event was significant to the Greek people because it was an opportunity to pay homage to the goddess Athena, the patron goddess of Athens. At the same time, these games enabled Greeks to showcase their athletic prowess and ability, adding pomp and flair to the already significant event. During this event, the winners across various contests and athletic events were awarded vases filled with olive oil pressed from the sacred groves of Athena. These vases were referred to as Attic Panathenaic Amphorae and were not only a symbol of excellence but also of divine homage. Below are some of the images of an Attic Panathenaic Amphora that will serve as this paper's focal point of analysis.[. J. Paul Getty Museum, "Attic Panathenaic Amphora," Getty: Resources for Visual Art and Cultural Heritage, last modified March 19, 2024, https://www.getty.edu/art/collection/object/103QSV?altImage=ed9a1e0c-8693-4192-8d59-a351ab92edab.] [. J. Paul Getty Museum.] The Panathenaic Amphorae were examples of ancient Greek pottery that were considered culturally important and historically significant. Mostly produced during the 6th and 5th centuries BCE, these amphorae were beautifully crafted in the style and manner of the time and were also a symbol of prestige among the Greek people. The amphorae were gifted to award sporting and athletic excellence and were typically filled with olive oil, which was a highly valuable commodity at the time.[. Thomas H. Carpenter, Art and Myth in Ancient Greece (London: Thames & Hudson, 2021), 111.] It is important to note that the Panathenaic Games were held once every four years. In addition to celebrating Athena, they were symbolic of Athenian identity. Receiving an amphora during the Games was a mark of honor, and said amphorae were also valuable commemorative trophies. The use of red-figure and black-figure techniques in the crafting of amphorae is in line with the artistic techniques and expression of the day. Skilled painters such as Exekias, Euphronios, and the Andokides and Kelophrades painters are well-known practitioners of the two techniques. In the amphora depicted above, the black-figure technique is beautifully used to contrast and complement the rest of the amphora. This work is important because it not only celebrated athletic achievement and civic identity but also showcased artistic excellence and gave socio-economic insight into the lives of ancient Athenians. This enables modern society to understand, albeit in a small and unique way, the social lives of ancient Athenians.[. Mark D. Stansbury-O'Donnell, A History of Greek Art (Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, 2015), 257.] [. Michael Norris, Greek Art from Prehistoric to Classical: A Resource for Educators (New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2001), 94-96.] By design, the amphora was created to be a large pottery typically measuring between 24 and 31 inches in height. This relatively large stature of the amphora was intended to complement its robust shape that featured an elongated and tall body with a narrow neck and two handles. These features made the amphorae practical and suitable for transporting and storing olive oil.[. Carpenter, Art and Myth in Ancient Greece, 73.] [. Stansbury-O'Donnell, A History of Greek Art, 260.] However, it is important to note that the shape and size of the amphorae were also intended to increase its visibility and ability to be used as a display ornament. Considering that it symbolized excellence and victory in the Panathenaic Games, its size and shape work well to enable its use as a display piece. Furthermore, the large size and defined shape also enable the depiction of important historical figures and events, which is not only visually stunning but also symbolic of the religious and civic practices of Athenians in ancient Greece.[. Norris, Greek Art from Prehistoric to Classical, 169.] Due to the prestigious and high value of the amphorae, they were crafted from fine, high-quality clay, as was common in Athenian pottery at that time. This enabled the vessel to be both workable and durable. Additionally, the use of glaze and slip played a significant role in contributing to the texture and beauty of the amphorae. Slip, a liquid clay mixture, was used to apply red or black-figure decorations, and the resulting contrast made the amphorae visually stunning with a bold contrast. In the case of the vessel above, the black-figure technique results in stunning depictions of Athena and a chariot race on opposing sides, while the slip adds to the high gloss and allure of the amphora as a whole.[. Stansbury-O'Donnell, A History of Greek Art, 260.] The selection of high-quality fine clay as a medium is significant because it facilitates the development of a clean and sharp color contrast between the background and the decorated figures. Furthermore, the glossy finish enhances the impact of the decorative elements and ensures the object retains the viewer's attention. In this way, the amphora is not only functional but also highly aesthetic. The amphora above represents the period in which it was created. It depicts the Panathenaic Games and the goddess Athena, who was the goddess patron of said games. On one side, the amphora depicts the goddess Athena in her guise as a Promachos, who were typically the fighting men in the first rank of the Greek phalanx. Athena's depiction of standing in a powerful and victorious pose in full armor symbolizes her role as a warrior goddess and a divine protector of the Greek people and, more specifically, of Athens as her patron goddess. At the same time, she is depicted as the patron of the Panathenaic Games, a symbol of sporting and athletic excellence and human strength, ingenuity, and prowess. On the other side, there is a depiction of a four-horse chariot race, which was a key event and one of the most acclaimed activities in the games. Winning this event was typically highly honorable, and this honor is captured in its depiction in the amphorae.[. J. Paul Getty Museum, "Attic Panathenaic Amphora."] [. J. Paul Getty Museum.] From the depictions on both sides, it is clear that the subject matter of this amphora revolves around the honoring of Athena and the prestige of being a winner in the Panathenaic Games. Equestrian contes...