The Makron–Hieron Tandem in Ancient Greek Vase Painting

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Pages: 62-82
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54664/BLHG2373

Abstract:

It is to the creative tandem of the vase painter Macron and the potter Hieron, two of the brightest representatives of ancient Greek ceramics, that we owe one of the most eloquent and emotional testimonies of daily life in Greece at the beginning of the 5th century BC. Macron is one of the most famous Athenian angiographers (vase painters) who worked in the red-figure style at the beginning of the 5th century BC. He was the chief angiographer in the studio of the potter Hieron, with whom he collaborated closely. Macron‘s images are characterized by the unity of the figures and their close relations in depth. The surface of the plates becomes brighter since the pattern covers almost the entire area. The artist loved the many folds in the fabric of the clothing and emphasized this decorative element particularly while keeping his design clean and austere. He mainly used scenes from everyday life (preferring to depict scenes from symposia, komos, a visit to a brothel) and Dionysian scenes in the decoration of the vessels but also depicted mythological themes. It has been suggested that Macron and Hieron were brothers who developed complementary specializations in a family workshop.

Keywords:

Makron; Hieron; Greek pottery; vase painting; red-figure style; vase painter; potter; decoration.

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