Detail of a Terracotta Neck-Amphora Attributed to the Medea Group in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, April 2017

Terracotta neck-amphora (jar)

Attributed to the Medea Group

Period:Archaic

Date:ca. 520 B.C.

Culture:Greek, Attic

Medium:Terracotta; black-figure

Dimensions:H. 12 3/8 in. (31.5 cm)
diameter of mouth 5 9/16 in. (14.1 cm)
diameter of foot 4 7/16 in. (11.2 cm)

Classification:Vases

Credit Line:Fletcher Fund, 1956

Accession Number:56.171.21

Obverse, Herakles and Triton
Reverse, courting scene

Herakles wrestling the sea creature Triton was a particularly appropriate decoration for hydriai (water jars). Though the observers are not central to the action, it is interesting to see how they are treated. When they stand and watch, they seem to be onlookers at the scene. When they sit, as here, they seem to be and audience listening to a story.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/254879