Exekias or Execias was one of the most famous ancient Greek potters, who worked between approximately 550 BC - 525 BC. He was renowned for his works of black-figure pottery, acting as both potter and painter.
His works are distinguished by their grand compositions, precise draughtsmanship and subtle characterisation, transcending the inherent limitations of the black-figure technique. As one historian of Greek art has said, "the hallmark of his style is a near statuesque dignity which brings vase painting for the first time close to claiming a place as a major art" (John Boardman, Athenian Black Figure Vases, 1974). He was an innovative painter and potter, experimenting with new shapes and devising unusual techniques such as a coral-red wash to enhance colour.
Eleven signed works by Exekias have survived and around another 25 vessels and plaques have been attributed to him. His best-known work is an amphora, now on display in the Vatican Museums in Rome, which depicts Ajax and Achilles playing dice at Troy; it is inscribed with the words "Exekias made and decorated me." Many of his other works also showed scenes from the Trojan War, such as Achilles slaying Penthesilea, Queen of the Amazons, or Ajax preparing to commit suicide.
See also
