Exekias was, by common consent, the greatest of the Athenian Black Figure Artists. He was both potter and painter and produced most of his work towards the end of the 6th century BC. His vases can be studied at A level as part of the Classical Civilisation course; many of his images are familiar to those studying GCSE.
Without doubt, my favourite: The suicide of Ajax. The great hero makes ready to quit this world. The painting is stark and sombre. The tree bows its head in lamentation; it is a palm tree and is indicative of the foreign location (Troy) in which Ajax' tragedy unfolds. Meanwhile, his armour and weapons serve as a grim reminder of the reason why he has reached this nadir - Achilles' armour had been awarded to Odysseus and Ajax had been dishonoured. Everything within the panel focuses our attention upon the sword with which Ajax will take his own life.
Here is an image of the interior of a drinking cup known as a kylix. Appropriately, we find that Dionysus the god of wine, is the subject of Exekias' painting. Not only does the artist fill a difficult space adroitly but he also alludes in a restrained manner to the immense power of this deity. The dolphins beneath Dionysus' boat are would be pirates whom the god has punished for their hybris. Meanwhile, his boat is beginning to undergo metamorphosis: a vine climbs up the mast with clusters of rich juicy grapes whilst the god lie reclines just like at a symposium, at ease whilst the sail billows in a gentle breeze.
A painting for the pyschologists: Achilles kills the Amazon warrior, Penthesilea. According to the myth , Achilles falls in love with her at exactly the same time that he penetrates her with his spear. Freud would have had a field day considering this uncomfortable juxtaposition of love and death. Achilles towers over his victim; he is clad entirely in armour and his helmet conceals all of his facial features ,making the warrior less of a hero and more the unfeeling, compassionless instrument of war. Penthesilea's legs buckle beneath his onslaught. The curvature of the vase is used to capture the feeble thrust of her spear as life ebbs away from her. Look how Exekias exploits the profile eye to suggest what is to come.
Most people's favourite: Achilles and Ajax playing dice before going into battle. It is a study in concentration - there is a poignancy about the impression of intense silence in contrast to the din of battle which will be experienced very soon, generated by the artist's draughtsmanship. The composition is superb: the curvature of the vase is echoed by the bent backs of the heroes. The Greek love of symmetry and balance find perfect expression in this vase painting.
If you have enjoyed looking at these pictures, why not borrow a copy of Susan Woodford's An Introduction to Greek Art, from the Classics Department. She writes very perceptively about Exekias and other vase painters. Or borrow John Boardman's Athenian Black Figure Vases for a comprehensive survey of the black Figure style.