Description
ANCIENT GREEK EUFRONIOS KRATER CRATER VASE. HAND-CRAFTED AND HAND PAINTED BEAUTIFUL Replica from an original ancient Greek Vase Escorts to the Underworld 515 BC. This vase depicts a haunting scene from the Trojan war. Sarpedon, a Trojan hero lays dying. Sarpedon, King of Lycia, son of Zeus and Europa was facing his final battle when his father Zeus refrained from interference, after with Hera that his interference in the fate of his offspring would cause the same from other Olympians. Gods were not to upset the balance of the world, and presumably, when gods were seen to help their proteges from time to time, it was because they were not supposed to die at that time. So facing his foe Patroclus on his own, he missed his spear throw, but Patroclus’ spear found its mark in Sarpedon’s body. The Greeks rushed in to strip Sarpedon of his armor, and Zeus, no longer able to refrain from becoming involved asked Hermes for help. To spare Sarpedon’s body from the humiliation of being dragged through the street, Hermes engaged the twins, Sleep and Death, the winged figures to the left and right of the body, to whisk Sarpedon away to his native land of Lycia and the befitting rituals awaiting it. In the Iliad, the hearer or reader is saddened by the death of Sarpedon, who not only has proved to be a brave leader, attempting to pull down a Greek wall with his bare hands, but also a man of feeling, twice mentioning his wife and baby son at home, speaking to his men about noblesse oblige, and exhorting them to fight with honor. This famous scene was painted in the 6th century b.c. by Euphronios. The composition is sublime, and wonderfully balanced with the body of Sarpedon stretched out full around the front of the vase. As he is being lifted by Sleep and Death, his body twists around to give almost a full frontal view; a preferred view by Euphronios who was adept at painting musculature. Although somewhat awkwardly, Sarpedon’s hair manages to remain flat against his upper back, despite his arms and face being pulled down by gravity. Note the exquisite detail- another mark of Euphronius. Hermes has his staff and an impression of winged sandals. The twins have an abundance of feathers in their wings, and precise detailing on their helmets.
