Black-Figure Technique

The black-figure technique is an ancient Greek pottery style developed around the 7th century BCE. In this method, artisans coated the pot with a slip (a liquid mixture of clay and water) to create a black background. They then used a fine tool to incise detailed images and designs into the black layer, revealing the red clay beneath. After firing, the figures remain black against the reddish-brown surface, showcasing intricate scenes from mythology and daily life. This technique contrasts with the later red-figure style, where the background is black and the figures are left in the natural red color of the clay.