Terracotta hydria: kalpis (water jar)
ca. 450–440 BCE
Medium
Terracotta
Dimensions
H. 10 1/4 in. (26 cm)
Classification
Vases
Culture & Period
Greek, Attic · Classical
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1949
Accession Number
49.11.6
Tags
Art Historical Context
This elegant terracotta hydria, known as a kalpis, was created around 450–440 BCE by the Achilles Painter, one of the most accomplished artists of Classical Athens. Produced in the Attic region of Greece during a time of cultural flourishing, such vessels were essential for carrying and pouring water in daily life, yet they also served as sophisticated canvases for storytelling. The compact form, standing just over ten inches tall, reflects the refined proportions favored in the Classical period. The Achilles Painter excelled in the red-figure technique, which allowed for more naturalistic re...