Athenian black-figure pottery

Athenian black-figure pottery is a style of ancient Greek ceramic art from the 7th to 5th centuries BCE, characterized by black figures painted onto natural clay vessels. Artists used a slip that turned black during firing, creating detailed images of mythological scenes, gods, and everyday life, set against the vessel's reddish background. This technique allowed for intricate design and storytelling, and it was widely used for both functional ware and decorative objects. Athenian black-figure pottery is valued for its craftsmanship, symbolism, and insight into ancient Greek culture and mythology.