Polygnotos and His Group
Susan Matheson, Yale University

10. Scenes of the Eleusinian Mysteries

Eleusinian subjects also receive the attention of Polygnotan painters. These range from the traditional Mission of Triptolemos scene exemplified by the early version by Polygnotos (Durham 1964.27)[56] to the procession of Eleusinian initiates with a torch-bearing dadouchos found at Eleusis itself.[57]

Illustration 26

Illustration 27

Eleusinian vases which could be said to be more emblematic than narrative in character include representations of Triptolemos and Demeter stripped of the apparatus of the Mission scenes, such as the amphora by an unnamed Polygnotan in the Harvard University collection (Harvard 1959.187; Illustration 26; Illustration 27) [58] and the amphora by Polygnotos with Eleusinian initiates in the Mount Holyoke College collection (Mount Holyoke 1929.BS.II.4; Illustration 28; Illustration 29). [59]

Illustration 28

Illustration 29

56. Para., 442; LIMC, IV, 874, Demeter no. 362.

57. Stamnos, Eleusis, Archaeological Museum 636; ARV2, 1052, no. 23, 1680; K. Kourouniwtou, " )*Eleusiniakh\ daidouxi/a," EphArch 103 (1937) 223-53, figs. 1-4, 9-10; Beazley Addenda 2, 321.

58. ARV2, 1059, no. 126; Beazley Addenda 2, 323; S. Doeringer, The Frederick M. Watkins Collection, exhibition catalogue, Fogg Art Museum (1973) 72-73, cat. no. 29; LIMC, IV, 374, pl. 212, Hades no. 38, and 874 , pl. 587, Demeter no. 363.

59. South Hadley, Mass., Mount Holyoke College Art Museum 1929 BS II.4; ARV2, 1031, no. 44; Buitron 1972, 124-25, cat. no. 69 (before cleaning). On this change in the iconography of Triptolemos scenes, see C. Dugas, "La Mission de Triptolème d'après l'imagerie Athénienne," Recueil Charles Dugas (Paris 1960) 123-39; see also Metzger 1965, 7-32.