1. Exekias kylix Fact Scan: Date: 550-530BC
Type: Kylix (ceremonial drinking)
Technique: Black Figure (the figures are black!)
Potter: Exekias
Painter: Exekias
Width: 30 cm
Subject: Dionysus sailing with dolphins
Eyes and a soldier dispossessed of his armour.

2. Interior view Central boat with a white sail
Dionysos identifiable by drinking horn, gown and beard, grape vine
Vine grows around the mast
Dolphins swim in the sea.

3. Interior View – Close-up
The background painted with coral red.
No groundline – a merging of sea and sky
Dolphins as decoration on the hull of the boat
Careful incision work on the grapes and dolphins
Scenes ranges over the whole of the interior
Added white on the sail is now patchy

4. Interior view - EXTREME

5. Interior view - EXTREME
Use of added red on drinking horn and beard
Incision work on the boat
Boar’s head on the front: snake on the back (significance?)

6. Interior – use of space/composition
Scene ranges across whole of the interior
No clear horizon line
Balance of dolphins and grapes
Centrality of main figure
Curve of boat and sail echo curve of vase
When filled with wine, boat can appear to ‘sail’

7. Exterior - sides

8. Exterior - sides Two large eyes and a nose on each side
Possibly apotropaic
Possibly reminiscent of a theatrical mask
Possibly a ‘gag’ at the symposium
Concentric rings of red/purple/black around the lower part of the bowl
Use of white to mimic eyes and highlight the pupils

9. Exterior - handles
There are differences between the scenes – possibly a “before” and “after” shot.

10. Exterior - handles
Exact details of narrative are uncertain. There are two possibilities
1. This is the fight for the armour of Achilles after his death, between Odysseus and Ajax.
2. This is Hector the Trojan removing Achilles’ armour from the body of Patrokles.

11. Exterior - handles Stylistic features to note
Attempts at overlapping reinforced by colour
Use of white for armour
Unusual position of body, but a good use of space under the handles
Slight differences between the scenes reveals aspects of the narrative.