Kleophrades Painter - Figural Subjects and Style

Figural Subjects and Style

Although the Kleophrades painter was not a member of the pioneer group of red-figure painters, it is suggested that he worked in the pioneer workshop. The pioneer workshop included Euphronios, Euthymides, Smikros, Hypsias, and the 'Dikaios Painter'. Beazley as well as Michael Padgett believe that Kleophrades not only worked in the pioneer workshop, but Kleophrades was also trained and taught by Euthymides. Euthymides is older and had a clear influence on Kleophrades based on technique and style. He may have started off his training as a black figure painter, given that on his earliest vases all of the borders and patterns surrounding the painted scenes are done in black figure. In addition to being trained in both black and red-figure, Kleophrades also used the white ground technique. Kleophrades did use it often and when the painter did it was a sub technique of his black-figure works. As he progresses, one side of the vase will have patterns in black figure, and the other in red, until finally, in his later work, all of the borders and patterns are done in red figure. The attribution of the Kleophrades painter’s work is based on the expressive emotions of his characters, and his work is particularly identifiable through study of his painted faces. The eyes of his figures are often drawn rather long and slender, accompanied by strong chins, and a unique way of showing the inner detail of the ear.

Although working primarily in red figure (apart from the borders and patterns previously mentioned), the Kleophrades painter completed a number of panathenaic amphorae, many of which were actually used as prizes. All panathenaic amphorae, not only those by the Kleophrades painter, are done in black figure, and his personal pots show great proficiency in this style. The panathenaic amphorae by the Kleophrades painter can be recognized by the representation of Pegasus, the winged horse, on the shield carried by Athena, the manner in which her hair is represented, and the position of the spear behind Athena’s head, as well as the relation of the spear to her face.

The Kleophrades Painter's style is praised for the quality of the draughtsmanship, as well as for the vigorous, robust, and well-proportioned figures that he depicted. His influence has been seen in the work of the Boot Painter and the Troilos Painter. In this latter case, the two artists have decorated vessels apparently by the same potter produced at roughly the same time, making it appear likely that they may have been working in the same workshop.