Oinochoe 550 BC

This ceramic Oinochoe was crafted by the Keyside Class, its creation rooted in the artistic and cultural milieu of ancient Greece. The vessel’s painted figures transport us to a world steeped in martial prowess and masculine ideals, while the pale skin of the figures draws our attention to the era's complex relationship to gender and representation, where the depiction of idealized forms often excluded the diversity of human experience. The Oinochoe would have been used to pour wine, and it offers us a glimpse into the rituals of elite men in classical antiquity. The imagery, with its focus on battles, speaks to the period’s emphasis on military achievement. Looking at this vessel, consider how it reflects the values and beliefs of its time, even as it invites us to question the narratives it presents. What stories are told, and whose voices are missing?