DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.8577#0119
THE CORINTHIAN FIGURE STYLE
99
The Early Corinthian Period
A. Small black-figure vases.
For the last quarter of the seventh century there is more evidence; as, in-
deed, we should expect in view of the greatly increased output of vases. The
largest group is a series of aryballoi (the warrior group, p. 288), decorated with
battle scenes and horsemen (figs. 170-0,31, and pi. 21,10). These are clearly
connected with the Protocorinthian black-figure tradition illustrated in
Johansen's pi. 38,1 (with this compare fig. 17B-d). But, for the most part, the
drawing is less archaic than that which we find on Protocorinthian vases,1 and
there are other perceptible differences which also point to a later date: the
shields are always larger than in most Protocorinthian and other very early
works (with the Protocorinthian pi. 1, cf. the gold
reliefs A.Z. 1884, pi. 8, Rev. Arch. 1897, 333;
A.M. 1903, pi. 5, 15 &c). The shields of the
Chigi vase are large, as in Corinthian, and they
tend to overlap further than was usual before.
This is a very small point, but it marks an ad-
vance in the art of relating the figures in a group.2
The aryballos fig. 45A, which is probably the
earliest, as it is one of the most pleasing representations of the story of Herakles
and the hydra, evidently also belongs to this period;3 likewise the vase shown
in pi. 31,1 and fig. 29 c. In this last instance we have a clear connexion with
the Chigi style, as a comparison with fig. 29 b will show. The very finely
polished surface of this vase is another feature which gives it a Protocorinthian
look. The compact build of the warrior, fig. 29c, is, however, characteristi-
cally Corinthian; so too the use of white dots. The only other small vase
which calls for mention is the alabastron with the Amazonomachy of
Herakles, no. 366; it seems certain, even from the publication, that this vase
is at least as early as the early Corinthian period.4
Fig. 31. From no. 495.
rail of the chariot (see p. 310); note also the curious
spiral stylization of the knee of Telestrophos, which
could not be paralleled in Corinthian vases: the
latest analogy is the fragment pi. 8, 8.
1 Note especially the less archaic faces of the com-
batants in fig. 31 and pi. 21, 6 (contrast fig. 29 a),
and their different proportions. They very rarely
show the length of limb which is a feature of Proto-
corinthian and all early archaic figures, and they are
definitely more substantial. In fact, although the
drawing is not nearly so good as on the Proto-
corinthian aryballoi, it is clearly later in character.
2 Compare the Protocorinthian groups pi. 1, and fig.
29 a with the early Corinthian pi. 21, 6 and fig. 31.
There are, of course, Corinthian vases on which the
shields only touch, as in Protocorinthian (nos. 719 a,
1150).
3 Note (1) the drawing of the chariot rail: it stands
halfway between that of the Chigi vase and the
cups (pi. 32 and fig. 40); (2) the very archaic horses :
contrast the cups just quoted and see p. 71; (3) the
stylization of the chiton of Iolaos: compare the
Protocorinthian pi. 8, 8 and see p. 78, note 4. (4)
The awkwardly drawn figure of Athena; contrast
pi. 31, 10.
4 In such a case one must judge primarily by the
proportions of the figures, and these obviously point
to an early date (very slight torsos and long legs;
small shields also).
99
The Early Corinthian Period
A. Small black-figure vases.
For the last quarter of the seventh century there is more evidence; as, in-
deed, we should expect in view of the greatly increased output of vases. The
largest group is a series of aryballoi (the warrior group, p. 288), decorated with
battle scenes and horsemen (figs. 170-0,31, and pi. 21,10). These are clearly
connected with the Protocorinthian black-figure tradition illustrated in
Johansen's pi. 38,1 (with this compare fig. 17B-d). But, for the most part, the
drawing is less archaic than that which we find on Protocorinthian vases,1 and
there are other perceptible differences which also point to a later date: the
shields are always larger than in most Protocorinthian and other very early
works (with the Protocorinthian pi. 1, cf. the gold
reliefs A.Z. 1884, pi. 8, Rev. Arch. 1897, 333;
A.M. 1903, pi. 5, 15 &c). The shields of the
Chigi vase are large, as in Corinthian, and they
tend to overlap further than was usual before.
This is a very small point, but it marks an ad-
vance in the art of relating the figures in a group.2
The aryballos fig. 45A, which is probably the
earliest, as it is one of the most pleasing representations of the story of Herakles
and the hydra, evidently also belongs to this period;3 likewise the vase shown
in pi. 31,1 and fig. 29 c. In this last instance we have a clear connexion with
the Chigi style, as a comparison with fig. 29 b will show. The very finely
polished surface of this vase is another feature which gives it a Protocorinthian
look. The compact build of the warrior, fig. 29c, is, however, characteristi-
cally Corinthian; so too the use of white dots. The only other small vase
which calls for mention is the alabastron with the Amazonomachy of
Herakles, no. 366; it seems certain, even from the publication, that this vase
is at least as early as the early Corinthian period.4
Fig. 31. From no. 495.
rail of the chariot (see p. 310); note also the curious
spiral stylization of the knee of Telestrophos, which
could not be paralleled in Corinthian vases: the
latest analogy is the fragment pi. 8, 8.
1 Note especially the less archaic faces of the com-
batants in fig. 31 and pi. 21, 6 (contrast fig. 29 a),
and their different proportions. They very rarely
show the length of limb which is a feature of Proto-
corinthian and all early archaic figures, and they are
definitely more substantial. In fact, although the
drawing is not nearly so good as on the Proto-
corinthian aryballoi, it is clearly later in character.
2 Compare the Protocorinthian groups pi. 1, and fig.
29 a with the early Corinthian pi. 21, 6 and fig. 31.
There are, of course, Corinthian vases on which the
shields only touch, as in Protocorinthian (nos. 719 a,
1150).
3 Note (1) the drawing of the chariot rail: it stands
halfway between that of the Chigi vase and the
cups (pi. 32 and fig. 40); (2) the very archaic horses :
contrast the cups just quoted and see p. 71; (3) the
stylization of the chiton of Iolaos: compare the
Protocorinthian pi. 8, 8 and see p. 78, note 4. (4)
The awkwardly drawn figure of Athena; contrast
pi. 31, 10.
4 In such a case one must judge primarily by the
proportions of the figures, and these obviously point
to an early date (very slight torsos and long legs;
small shields also).