The Kleophrades Painter
Michael Padgett, Princeton University

11. Shapes: Volute-Kraters Part 1

Of the painter's six volute-kraters, most of which are fragmentary, one has figures on the body, another has figures on both zones of the neck (an unusual arrangement), and four have figures confined to the upper zone of the neck. On one of the latter, the lower neck and the body are painted with added coral-red, a unique and striking combination (Malibu 84.AE.974; Illustration 65). [64]

Illustration 65

Illustration 66

Among the deeds of Herakles on the upper neck is the ambush of the sleeping Alkyoneus, on whose breast dozes the little god of sleep, Hypnos (Illustration 66). Another feat is the capture of the Keryneian Hind, in this case represented as an ithyphallic donkey with antlers, a unique representation and an unusually humorous departure for the painter (Illustration 67). The ornament on the upper rim (Illustration 68) — a "labyrinthine" maeander enclosing boxes and saltire-squares — recurs as the groundline on the pointed amphora Munich 2344 (Illustration 69).

Illustration 67

Illustration 68

Illustration 69

64. See note, supra. This vase has been described as "near" the Kleophrades Painter, but it is almost certainly from the painter's own hand.