In keeping with characteristically Greek design
tenets, the base and foot of this vessel as well as
its neck, lip, and handles are rendered in black
glaze in order to serve as framing elements for
the single, principal figural scene on the front of
the vessel itself. That scene is furthered framed
by the ground line on which the figures stand as
well as by a net-like, vertical pattern to the left
and right, and a series of vertical stokes at the
top. The neck of the vessel is likewise separated
from the shoulder by a third, net-like design and
the foot from the base by a white band.
Because scenes on such Greek vases often
adhere to strictly observed canonical standards,
their identification is assured even when, as here,
there are no accompanying inscriptions. On the
basis of those standards this scene depicts The
Return of Helen. The heroine of the Trojan War
epics, Helen is shown in the center of the
composition, facing right. Her hands, feet, and
face are painted white in keeping with
conventions for the depiction of women on Attic
black-figured vases. She is shown wearing a
patterned chiton, a striped himation, and a
wreath in her hair. She lifts her himation with her
left hand in a gesture well-known in Greek art
from wedding scenes in which the bride unveils
herself to her husband. The return of Helen to
her husband Menelaos is here interpreted as if,
to use a modern analogy, the couple were about
to renew their vows. It is for this reason as well
that Helen extends to Menelaos the wreath in
her left hand. Menelaos on the left is shown as a
contemporary Greek warrior in full battle armor.
He wears a crested helmet, greaves, and a
mantle draped over one shoulder. He holds a
round shield, the blazon of which consists of
four white dots framing an animal’s head, as well
as two spears. Helen’s eyes are cast downward
under the fixed glance of her husband’s eyes.
The warrior to the left, similarly armed and with a
shield emblazoned with a depiction of a bent
human leg, has been plausibly identified as
Odysseus, the Greek hero whose stratagem of
the wooden horse brought the Trojan War to a
close which resulted in the return of Helen. His
job done, he is depicted facing left, his head
turned toward the re-united couple for one last
look, before he leaves them alone. The fact that
Odysseus is leaving immediately is subtly
conveyed by squeezing his figure tightly into the
space occupied by the framing net-pattern on
the far left.
This vessel, termed an oinochoe, was used as a
pitcher to serve wine. It celebrates the exploits
of heros and was a fitting accessory at Greek
symposia, or drinking parties. Today, it
commemorates Helen of Troy, whose beauty was
such that her face “launched a thousand ships!”
- (LA.502)
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