Terracotta lekythos (oil flask) 550 BC

This terracotta lekythos, or oil flask, was created by the artist known as the Affecter. Lekythoi were common in ancient Greece, and were often used for funerary rituals. This one offers a glimpse into the athletic and social lives of the time, capturing a moment of male bonding and competition. We see a central male figure, nude and poised, presumably engaged in some form of athletic display, flanked by draped figures. The black-figure technique—with its silhouettes and incised details—adds a graphic punch, but also speaks to the conventions of representing the male form in Greek art. How does the active central figure interact with the static figures? The Affecter shows us a vision of masculine identity and communal ritual. How do you connect with this scene?