The Berlin Painter and His World

Athenian Vase–Painting in the Early Fifth Century B.C.

The Berlin Painter was the name given by Sir John Davidson Beazley (1885–1970) to an otherwise anonymous Athenian vase-painter, active in the first quarter of the fifth century B.C. Since Beazley’s first published identification of the Berlin Painter in 1911, the oeuvre of this still-anonymous Athenian draughtsman has grown to some 330 works, and esteem for his elegant, approachable style has never lessened. This exhibition will feature 84 vessels and statuettes of the early fifth century, including 54 of the finest vases attributed to the Berlin Painter, representing a full range of subjects, sacred and profane. Find out more about the ‘Berlin Painter’ exhibition from the Princeton University Art Museum’s website.

Robin Osborne explores the artist’s style and subjects in the February issue of Apollo, read the article in full here

Preview the exhibition below | The top five exhibitions opening this week

Detail of Red-figure Nolan amphora: A, Athlete (hoplitodromos); B, Draped man (c. 470 BC) Greek, Attic, attributed to the Berlin Painter. © C2RMF / Anne Chauvet

Detail of Red-figure bell-krater: A, Herakles; B, Satyr (c. 500–490 BC) Greek, Attic, attributed to the Berlin Painter. © C2RMF / Anne Chauvet

Red-figure stamnos of special shape: A: Herakles strangling the Snakes Iphikles, Athena, Alkmene, Amphitryon, and a woman; B: Zeus between Hermes and Iris (c. 480–475 BC) Greek, Attic, attributed to the Berlin Painter. © RMN-Grand Palais / Art Resource, NY

Detail of Red-figure bell-krater: A, Ganymede; B, Zeus (c. 500–490 BC) Greek, Attic, attributed to the Berlin Painter. © C2RMF / Anne Chauvet

Red-figure neck-amphora with twisted handles: A, Dionysos with thyrsos, kantharos, and lion; B, Satyr carrying a wineskin (c. 480 BC) Greek, Attic, attributed to the Berlin Painter. Image courtesy Staatliche Antikensammlungen und Glyptothek München

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