Exekias - Group E

Group E

The work of Group E is not only considered to be closely related to the work of Exekias but also represents a conscious break from the pottery traditions of the first half of the sixth century BC. The development of new, elegant vessel shapes such as the "Type A Amphora" have been attributed to this group. Exekias worked as a potter in the Group E-workshop and is the only member of the Group signing his products (Paris Louvre F 35). His potter signatures suggest that Exekias may have been responsible for the development of such vessel shapes such as the Type A cup, the Type A belly amphora and the calyx crater. Apart from the specialization in certain vessel shapes, the Group E also shared a common range of subjects. The birth of Athena, Theseus fighting the Minotaur, Herakles fighting the Nemean Lion and Herakles and the three-bodied Geryon are among the themes most often pictured on the vases of this group.