Terracotta kylix (drinking cup)

Art Historical Context

This elegant terracotta kylix, or shallow drinking cup, was crafted in Athens around 470 BCE during the Classical period of ancient Greece. Painted by the renowned artist Douris, it exemplifies the refined red-figure technique that allowed for greater detail and naturalism in depicting human forms. As an Attic vase, it reflects the cultural prominence of symposium drinking parties, where such vessels were passed among participants and often featured scenes suited to intimate gatherings. Douris’s work stands out for its graceful line work and attention to movement, qualities that elevated vase painting to a sophisticated art form alongside sculpture and architecture in fifth-century Athens. The presence of female nudes on this cup hints at mythological or idealized themes popular in the era, inviting viewers to consider how art intertwined daily ritual with storytelling. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1923, this kylix offers modern visitors a direct connection to the artistic innovations and social customs of ancient Greece. Its balanced proportions and delicate painting continue to highlight the enduring appeal of Classical Athenian craftsmanship.

About the Artist

Douris

Douris, an Athenian red-figure vase-painter and potter, flourished from around 500 to 460 BCE during the transition from Archaic to early Classical art.) One of the most prolific artists of his era, he signed approximately 39 vases as painter, one as both painter and potter, and one as potter alone, with scholars attributing between 250 and 300 additional works to his hand based on stylistic analy...