Depiction of Prostitutes in Greek Art

Woman in Greek art are usually seen doing what most Greek woman were tasked with doing in their daily lives. Their main jobs focused on the domestic needs of the family; caring for the sick, nursing the children, and preparing food for the family. Women are often time’s illustrated performing task such as weaving and other domestic actions like bearing and caring for their children. The women in these forms of art are properly dressed and the illustrations are done on common made items like pottery and vases. When comparing this description of the artistic portrayal of common Greek women to the illustrations seen on the Terracotta Kylix, there are some distinct differences. The most obvious difference is the nudity that is seen within the artwork. All of the women are depicted in a seductive fashion with somewhat of a control over the men that they are with. Also the portrayal of the scene is done in a ceremonial fashion; the event seems to be a joyous event accompanied with wine and picnic baskets. Then there is the presence of the satyr and the maenad which most directly represents the wine god Dionysus. Another important difference in the art work is that it is illustrated on a drinking cup that would most likely be used in the same type of event that is portrayed in the illustration. I believe the portrayal of these nude women in the Terracotta Kylix represent how prostitution was seen by Greek culture. These women do not seem to be represented as low and crude women that most often accompany the thought of a prostitute. They seem to be almost celebrated as many of the people are smiling and having a good time. The only thing I can see as a negative depiction of these women is the fact that they are nude. I do not doubt that there was somewhat of a negative connotation placed on prostitutes in Greek culture. However, judging from this artwork, prostitutes seem to be accepted as a tolerant and ceremonial part of Greek life with the god Dionysus validating their actions.