On this vase the obvious focal point is the board game that the 2 figures are playing. This is shown with the funnelling of the spears and the figures line of view. The Helmet which is upon Achilles may imply that he is bigger than Ajax and it helps to not make the whole painting symmetrical. The symmetry is shown with the positions of the legs, the shields, the backs of the figures and the spears all are mirroring each other.
The second vase I have picked is by Amasis in 550-530 B.C. This painting is of Dionysus and Maenads on a neck amphora. Maenads are the followers of Dionysus. Just like how Zeus holds a lightening bolt as his symbol it is the same for Dionysus but with a thyrsus which is a stick wrapped in ivy. Another way in knowing that Dionysus is the man is the fact that he is holding a kantharos a wine cup, this is specific because Dionysus is the god of wine and theatre. There are many limitations to this painting and Amasis has not overcome these well.
Depth and accuracy are not shown well in this painting. There is symmetry but there is a sense of boredom with figures just passing a hare to a man. The depth of this painting is very limited. This is shown with the Maenads, there arms around each others neck make them look like conjoined twins. The depth of the drapery is not shown well either, it does not look realistic with the straightness and no pleats or folds.
There are a few positive aspects to the vase though such as the eye contact is portraying a sense of intimacy and the symmetry is shown with the Maenads, the heads being very close, the same body movement and both heels are lifting of the ground at the same time. We get a clear view of Dionysus acknowledging the offered hare through his movement of his left hand. Amasis has been able to echo the curves of the amphora through the swirls that he has painted to fill the space.
The final vase that I have picked is also by Exekias. This painting is about the death of Penthesilea. Exekias has decided to place the painting on an amphora . This painting is about the story of when the trojan war took place and the Amazon queen joining in. Achilles falls in love with Penthesilea at first sight but killing her with his spear in the moment.
The limitations of the vase and painting involve the shape of the vase and the lines within the painting. Whilst the vase is curved and smooth whereas the painting is using awkward visual angels and straight lines, but some how these 2 contrast seem to compliment each other. Even the eye sight is a straight line. The straightness of the lines seem to create a tension signifying that they are still in battle yet there is intimacy through eye contact. The sense of balance also helps to overcome the shape of the vase, this is shown through the similarity in which Penthsilea's body is to Achilles.
In conclusion both artists have tried to overcome the limitations of the vase through the painting and shape. We can see that through the 3 vases that I have picked that Exekias has been a little bit more successful than Amasis.
