DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.785#0083
introduction.] VASES.—THE DECADENCE. Ixxxiii
indeed, perhaps never, do they attain the exalted excellence of
the highest works of the Greek chisel, the perfection of the
sctdptures of the Parthenon; yet there is a mastery, a spirit of
beauty about them which warrants us in regarding them as of
the happiest and purest period of Hellenic art.
There is a fourth class of rases, rarely found in Etruria, but
abundant in the Greek colonies of Italy, especially in the dis-
tricts of Puglia and Basilicata. Like the last class, it has yellow
figures on a black ground, but differs widely in style. The
vases are often of enormous size and exaggerated proportions.
The multitude of figures introduced, the complexity of the com-
position, the general inferiority and carelessness of the design,
the flourish and lavishment of decoration—in a word, the
absence of that chasteness and purity which give the Perfect
style its chief charm, indicate these vases to belong, if not
always to the period of decadence, at least to the verge of it,
when art was beginning to trick herself out- in meretricious
embellishments, and to forget her sublime and godlike simpli-
city. The more recent date of this class is admitted on every
band.4
What use can this multitude of vases have served ? Though
now found only in tombs, it must not be supposed that they
were all originally of sepulchral application. Those with Pana-
thenaic subjects were probably given, full of oil, as prizes at the
national games, just as in Greece. Others may have been given
at the palsestric fetes, or as nuptial presents, or as pledges of
love and friendship; and these are generally marked by some
appropriate inscription. Many were doubtless articles of house-
hold furniture, for use or adornment;5 and a few seem to have
been expressly for sepulchral purposes, either as decorations of
4 One of the most beautiful vases of before Christ,
this style, from Magna Grseeia, is in the 6 Yet many of them are only var-
British Museum. It represents the nished outside, and but partially—not
Garden of the Hesperides. This style at all within ; so that they could not
seems to bear the same relation to the have served for liquids. Ann. Inst,
preceding that the Phigaleian marbles 1831, p. 97. Many may have been
do to those of the Parthenon. It is used by the relatives at the parentalia,
admitted to be as late as the sixth cen- or funeral feasts, and left as sacred in
tury of Rome, or two hundred years the tomb.
/2
indeed, perhaps never, do they attain the exalted excellence of
the highest works of the Greek chisel, the perfection of the
sctdptures of the Parthenon; yet there is a mastery, a spirit of
beauty about them which warrants us in regarding them as of
the happiest and purest period of Hellenic art.
There is a fourth class of rases, rarely found in Etruria, but
abundant in the Greek colonies of Italy, especially in the dis-
tricts of Puglia and Basilicata. Like the last class, it has yellow
figures on a black ground, but differs widely in style. The
vases are often of enormous size and exaggerated proportions.
The multitude of figures introduced, the complexity of the com-
position, the general inferiority and carelessness of the design,
the flourish and lavishment of decoration—in a word, the
absence of that chasteness and purity which give the Perfect
style its chief charm, indicate these vases to belong, if not
always to the period of decadence, at least to the verge of it,
when art was beginning to trick herself out- in meretricious
embellishments, and to forget her sublime and godlike simpli-
city. The more recent date of this class is admitted on every
band.4
What use can this multitude of vases have served ? Though
now found only in tombs, it must not be supposed that they
were all originally of sepulchral application. Those with Pana-
thenaic subjects were probably given, full of oil, as prizes at the
national games, just as in Greece. Others may have been given
at the palsestric fetes, or as nuptial presents, or as pledges of
love and friendship; and these are generally marked by some
appropriate inscription. Many were doubtless articles of house-
hold furniture, for use or adornment;5 and a few seem to have
been expressly for sepulchral purposes, either as decorations of
4 One of the most beautiful vases of before Christ,
this style, from Magna Grseeia, is in the 6 Yet many of them are only var-
British Museum. It represents the nished outside, and but partially—not
Garden of the Hesperides. This style at all within ; so that they could not
seems to bear the same relation to the have served for liquids. Ann. Inst,
preceding that the Phigaleian marbles 1831, p. 97. Many may have been
do to those of the Parthenon. It is used by the relatives at the parentalia,
admitted to be as late as the sixth cen- or funeral feasts, and left as sacred in
tury of Rome, or two hundred years the tomb.
/2