Athenaen red figure Krater.

Athenaen red figure Krater, with the madness of Heracles.

Signed by the painter  Astreas*, this krater is one of the best pieces produced in the workshops of Paestum in southern Italy. The dynamic and markedly theatrical scene depicts one of the most dramatic scenes from the life of Heracles. Driven mad by constant persecution from Hera, the hero throws one of his sons on the pyre – where piled up belongings from his house are already burning – convinced that it is the son of his rival Eurystheus. The child uselessly outstretches his hand to reach his father’s beard, begging for mercy. His wife Megara, terrified, clutches her chest and pulls at her hair while lunging towards the door of the house. Behind the hero, Alcamene, mother of Heracles, and his loyal friend Iolaus, watch the scene from an open gallery with columns. The goddess Mania, the personification of madness, hovers at the end. All of the figures can be identified by accompanying inscriptions. On the other side of the vessel, Dionysius, god of theatre, rides on a panther surrounded by his entourage.

Side B:  Europa on Bull (Zeus).

Details:

*Asteas, ancient Greek vase-painter from Paestum, circa 350-340 BCE. Asteas (active between 350 and 320 BCE in Paestum) was one of the more active ancient Greek vase painters in Southern Italy, practicing the red figure style. He managed a large workshop, in which above all hydriai and kraters were painted. He painted mostly mythological and theatrical scenes.