Images of Life: Ancient Greek Vases at The Ian Potter Museum of Art

The Ian Potter Museum in Melbourne is hosting the exhibition “Images of Life: Ancient Greek Vases,” curated by Dr Heather Jackson.

In the 9th century BC there was a revival of the economic and artistic activity in Greece, that ended in the glories of the Classical period. During this time, the black-figure and later red-figure vase painting techniques developed, enabling artists to produce some of the most distinctive artistic works of ancient Greece.

The vase collection at the Ian Potter Museum of Art, covers the period from the thirteenth to the fourth centuries BCE. The most important pottery producing centres of the Greek world that are represented in the exhibition are Athens, Corinth, east Greece and south Italy.

The diversity of scenes depicted on the vases, provides one of the best sources for understanding Greek society, from daily life to religious beliefs. The exhibition “Images of Life,” includes vases showing mythical narratives and heroic subjects alongside more prosaic scenes such as sporting events, music lessons, domestic chores and children at play, all painting a vivid picture of life in ancient Greece.

The pottery exhibition runs from April 26th until September 18th.