Darius Painter

The Darius Painter ( Darius Painter ) was an Apulian vase painter and a major representative of the rich style of the South Italian vase painting. His works are dated to the period 340-320 BC.

The Darius Painter has been named a Notnamen after Darius I represented him on his most famous work, the Perservase. Many of his works - Volutenkratere, amphorae, Loutrophoren - have large proportions. He focused mainly on motifs from the world of theater, especially from the classical tragedies of Euripides, and mythological scenes dar. Several mythological representations are known only by his vases. On other vases (especially Peliken ) he also shows Wedding, Eros, women's and Dionysian motifs. In contrast, sepulchral scenes are unlike other artists of the time ( so to Naïskosvasen ) rare, and when they occur, almost always only on the backs. Some pictures of the show on the Perservase references to contemporary history. Obviously, the painter showed interest in the conquests of Alexander the Great.

Striking at the Darius Painter is the frequent use of inscriptions. He shall designate figures not only with a person's name, but also by thematic aspects (such persai for the Persians). One can view these inscriptions partly as a " title ". In addition, it is known to use the whole surface of the vases for imaging, which is often carried out in two or three registers. Sometimes the individual zones are structured by opulent ornamentalische Friese. The Darius Painter was considered the first painter who exploited the possibilities of large vases. His drawings are very good. Especially the faces he often shows in three-quarter view, are reproduced very accurately.

The Darius Painter was probably engaged in a large manufactory similar workshop in Taranto and style was decisive for the coming after him Apulian vase painting. Perhaps this was the painter of the owner or workshop manager. Stylistically, it follows the Varrese Painter and his circle (about the Painter of Copenhagen 4223 ), but he can surpass their heritage. Beside him fall to his time on the still Perrone - painter and the Phrixus - painters who fabricated more than just a commodity. The most important successor of Darius Painter was the Underworld Painter. Arthur Dale Trendall, the most important explorer of the South Italian vase painting, called the Darius Painter as the most important painter of mythological scenes of the entire South Italian vase painting.