Terracotta amphora (jar) 540 BC

This black-figure Attic amphora, dating back to 540 BC, depicts a scene of a Greek hero battling a monstrous creature. The hero, likely a warrior or demigod, is depicted in profile, wielding a sword and facing a mythical beast with the body of a horse and the head of a human. This type of pottery, known as black-figure, is characterized by its use of black slip to create figures against a red background. The work is attributed to the Group of Brussels R 243, a collective of anonymous artisans known for their distinctive style. This amphora, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, offers a glimpse into the mythology and artistic techniques of ancient Greece.