Plate with Amphiaraus and Eriphyle (from the Hercules Service) 1532

This plate depicting Amphiaraus and Eriphyle was made around 1535-40 by Francesco Xanto Avelli in Urbino, Italy, using majolica. The image shows a scene from Greek mythology, where Amphiaraus is being swallowed by the earth. This plate was part of a larger set known as the Hercules Service, commissioned by a wealthy patron, likely a member of the Italian aristocracy. The visual codes used, such as the classical figures and mythological scene, reflect the Renaissance interest in classical antiquity and the revival of Greek and Roman art and literature. The plate's imagery would have resonated with the cultural values of its time, particularly among the elite, who often used classical themes to express their social status and intellectual pursuits. To understand this piece better, we can look at the history of ceramics and the patronage systems of the Italian Renaissance. By examining these historical resources, we can interpret the meaning of art as something deeply embedded in its social and institutional context.