Polygnotos and His Group
Susan Matheson, Yale University

13. Scenes of Daily Life: Women Part 1

Scenes of women, on the other hand, especially as represented on hydriai, become a virtual industry for some of the Polygnotan painters and account for a large proportion of the Polygnotan scenes of daily life. The Christie Painter was a special practitioner of such scenes, as were the Kleophon Painter and others working in his manner. Vases by the Christie Painter such as his hydria in Providence (RISD 22.114; Illustration 34) [65] and his krater in Würzburg (Würzburg L 521 (HA 168); Illustration 35; Illustration 36) [66] are characteristic.

Illustration 34

Illustration 35

Illustration 36

The women are generally shown in groups, often with a seated central figure playing a musical instrument, performing some task related to woolworking, selecting jewelry, or occasionally reading. Other women stand by this central figure, participating in her activity in some way. Whether these scenes should be viewed as snapshots of the women's quarters or whether they are better interpreted as emblematic images of women's proper roles in life, or both, is debated.[67] Numerous hydriai with such scenes have been found in tombs.[68] Sometimes Eros is present, suggesting association with preparations for a wedding.[69]

65. ARV2, 1049, no. 47; CVA, Providence, R. I., Rhode Island School of Design Museum (U.S.A. 2) pl. 22, 1.

66. ARV2, 1046, no. 7; CVA, Würzburg, Martin von Wagner Museum 2 (Germany 46) pls. 19, 5-11, and 20, 1-2; Beazley Addenda 2, 2 320.

69. On weddings, see J.H. Oakley and R.H. Sinos, The Wedding in Ancient Athens (Madison, WI 1993).