Bound to serve King Eurystheus of Mycenae and Tiryns, the hero Herakles was sent on a series of twelve dangerous tasks as penance for killing his wife and child. The Water Jar attributed to the Eagle Painter shows Herakles’ second task of defeating the menacing Hydra of Lerna. This black-figure hydria draws viewers to the mythological narrative depicted in the front and center of the vessel, showcasing the power of Herakles and his nephew Iolaos. The jar is Etruscan, made in Caere during approximately 525 B.C. Seventeen inches tall, the title of the vase indicates its possible function as a vessel for storing water or wine during Greek social gatherings where conversations flourished. Through the combination of the vessel’s physical function, …show more content…
A wreath of black Ivy tendrils as well a daisy-like motif around each handle of the vessel reflects the natural world that surrounds Herakles. The geometric pattern at the neck of the vessel also reaffirms this portrayal of nature where the variety of geometric shapes such as circles, elongated teardrops and acute triangles mimic an overall structure of a star or the sun. The alternating colors between black and red within these geometric shapes only further contribute to the idea of light rays that stretch out from the circular center. Moreover, a pattern of the palm-like leaves are observed in the bottom half of the vase, resembling fan-shaped fronds that spread out from a single base. Through the combination of floral motifs and geometric shapes, it is as if nature surrounds the battle between Herakles and the Hydra, therefore creating an idealized setting for viewers to place the battle within a believable and realistic context. The overall combination of these multiple panels once more highlights the articulate manipulation of space in this vessel, where the complexity of it all is absolutely striking and draws a viewer in to not only appreciate the story but embrace the vase’s aesthetic quality as …show more content…
The form of the vessel known as hydria connotes a relationship to the modern term ‘hydrant’, implying how water is essential to its function. The rim of the vessel is decorated with a diamond shaped pattern that illuminates a sense of wealth and luxury, possibly implicating its use during symposiums. Interwoven with this striking pattern is elongated cylindrical shapes that spread out from the internal of the rim towards the outside, forming a sense of motion similar to the direction of water being poured out of the vessel. Similar cylindrical shapes enclosed by thick black contour lines as well as alternating colors of red and black are also observed at the base of the vase. This time however, the water is flowing out in the opposite direction, downwards and away from the vessel. The contrast of these two opposite patterns provides an insight into how and what the vessel was used for along with contributing to the explanation as to why figures were placed in certain panels. Importantly, besides the two side handles that were crafted for transportation purposes, there also exists a large singular handle on the back for one to tip the vessel over and pour out its contents. At a Greek symposium, one often mixes wine and water thus creating a blood-red mixture and going along with the concept of pouring as expressed from the cylindrical patterns of the vessel, the reason why Herakles’