Lekythos 500 BC

This Lekythos, now at the Metropolitan Museum, was crafted by the Little Lion Class. The vessel's cylindrical body immediately strikes us with its clear division and balanced proportions. Notice the stark contrast between the reddish-terracotta and the solid black paint. This contrast not only delineates form but also directs our gaze, as the black silhouettes of animals stand prominently against the light ground. The Little Lion Class’s interest in linearity and pattern is evident, notably in the stylized rendering of the animals and the repetitive geometric motifs along the top of the vessel. The depiction of animals, seemingly captured in a moment of action or repose, is anchored in the materiality of the vessel. The curves of the animal's bodies, the dots, and the connecting lines of the reins form a complex pattern, reflecting an understanding of the surface as a space for visual play. This interplay of representation and abstraction invites us to explore how meaning emerges not just from what is depicted, but from how it's depicted.