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Oil flask (lekythos) depicting the death of Orpheus
Manner of: the Achilles Painter
Greek
Classical Period
about 450–440 B.C.
Place of Manufacture: Greece, Attica, Athens
Medium/Technique
Ceramic, Red Figure technique
Dimensions
Height: 40.8 cm (16 1/16 in.)
Credit Line
Bartlett Collection—Museum purchase with funds from the Francis Bartlett Donation of 1912
Accession Number13.202
CollectionsAncient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsVessels
Catalogue Raisonné
Caskey-Beazley, Attic Vase Paintings (MFA), no. 049.
DescriptionThe death of Orpheus. A Thracian woman, tattooed on arms, wearing short chiton and endromides advances to right, holding sword in right hand. With left she seizes right arm of Orpheus who is sinking to the ground holding lyre in raised right hand. His himation falls over left shoulder and right thigh. Blood streams from a wound in his right side. In field between the figures, the inscription "Alkimachos, son of Epicharos is handsome" (ALKIMACHOS KALOS EPICHAROS).
Late severe style.
[Label text]:
The mythical musician Orpheus has many myths surrounding his death. One story tells us that he died having looked at his beloved Euridice after rescuing her from the Underworld. The lord of Hades had forbidden him to do so, but Orpheus could not contain himself and gazed at his lover before leaving the realm of the dead. Another myth of the death of Orpheus is depicted on this lekythos. A Thracian woman with tattooed arms and high fur boots bears the sword that has already pierced Orpheus' side. Blood streams from the wound as Orpheus sinks to the ground, still clutching his lyre.
Late severe style.
[Label text]:
The mythical musician Orpheus has many myths surrounding his death. One story tells us that he died having looked at his beloved Euridice after rescuing her from the Underworld. The lord of Hades had forbidden him to do so, but Orpheus could not contain himself and gazed at his lover before leaving the realm of the dead. Another myth of the death of Orpheus is depicted on this lekythos. A Thracian woman with tattooed arms and high fur boots bears the sword that has already pierced Orpheus' side. Blood streams from the wound as Orpheus sinks to the ground, still clutching his lyre.
InscriptionsAbove woman’s arm:
ΑΛΚΙΜΑΧΟC
ΚΑΛΟC
Below her arm:
ΕΠΙΧΑΡΟC
ΑΛΚΙΜΑΧΟC
ΚΑΛΟC
Below her arm:
ΕΠΙΧΑΡΟC
Provenance1911, sold by Tommaso and Ignazio Virzi (dealers), Palermo, to Edward Perry Warren (b. 1860 - d. 1928), London and Rome; 1913, sold by E. P. Warren to the MFA for $18,948.70 [see note]. (Accession Date: January 2, 1913)
NOTE: Total price paid for MFA accession nos. 13.186 - 13.245. Shipped to Warren in 1911 as "Lekythos, with Orpheus killed by a Thracian Woman with inscription" (private archive). Many thanks to Erin Thompson for facilitating access to this material.
NOTE: Total price paid for MFA accession nos. 13.186 - 13.245. Shipped to Warren in 1911 as "Lekythos, with Orpheus killed by a Thracian Woman with inscription" (private archive). Many thanks to Erin Thompson for facilitating access to this material.