The Dipylon Vase in Greece Ancient Arts


 Ancient Greece Art


The Dipylon (DIHP-ih-lahn) Vase from the eighth century B.C.E,was found in the Diplyon Cemetery in Athens. This pot and other like it served as a grave monuments. Holes in the bottom allowed liquid to filter down into the grave.

Figure 1.Dipylon Vase




The vase in figure 1, shows the body of the deceased lying on a funeral bier, surrounded by mourners.  Also depicted on the vase is a funeral procession with warriors on foot and in chariots drawn by horses. Every human and animals figure in this complex design suggests a geometric shape harmonizing with the other elements on the vase. Although recognizable and narrative in purpose, the figures appear as just another type of ornamention within the larger context of the overall design. They follow the convention of portraying the torso forntally while the head and legs show in profile ; turning the head to the rear would denote a figure in motion.

On this vase, intricacy of detail occupies every inch of its surface,  and the artist has organized  that detail into carefully balanced horizontal bands, each display a different geometric pattern. With only a few shapes, the artist has created a tremendously detailed painting with a subtle and sophisticated  balance and focus. The dark , wide bands on the base and at the buttom of the bowl ground the design and help the viewer to focus on the story of dead person. The patterns at the top and bottoms of the vase have completely different details and yet they seem harmonious. We can also note the balanced  juxtaposition of straight line and curves  : the snake-like design and circles sit quite naturally along side rectangles and traingle. Characteristic of its style, it fills every field with decoration and divides the surface into thirds with avoidance of overlapping.

 Refferences :
1. website
https://www.google.com/search?q=dipylon+vase&client=firefox-b-ab&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi9kuOxwYnXAhVKOY8KHXivAqUQ_AUICigB&biw=1024&bih=530&dpr=1#imgrc=gSSDQ62cr-kBEM:

2. Book
Sporre, Dennis J, 2005. The Creative Impulse An Introduction to the Arts. Seventh Edition. 2005.Florance : Pearson Prentice Hall.

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