Terracotta rim fragment of a kylix (drinking cup) 530 BC

This terracotta fragment of a kylix, or drinking cup, was crafted by the Sub-Meidian Group, a collective of Athenian vase painters known for their distinctive red-figure style. Fragments like this offer glimpses into the lives and values of ancient Athenian society. Notice the figure depicted here, likely a young athlete or a member of the elite, draped in a cloak. The style of the time often idealized the male form, associating it with strength, beauty, and social status. Yet, these images also participated in constructing gender and class norms, excluding other identities and experiences. Consider the cup's function. It was used in symposia, gatherings where men would drink, converse, and engage in intellectual pursuits. What stories might this cup have witnessed? Whose voices were amplified, and whose were silenced? This fragment invites us to reflect on the power dynamics embedded within artistic representations and social rituals.