Kleitias

Kleitias was an ancient Greek artist and potter from around 560–550 BCE, famous for creating some of the earliest known large-scale, detailed pottery scenes. His work often depicted mythological stories and daily life, using a style called "Black-Figure," where figures are painted in black on the natural red clay. Kleitias’ most celebrated piece is the "Francois Vase," a masterpiece that shows complex, carefully crafted scenes and demonstrates advanced storytelling through pottery. His innovations helped develop Greek vase painting, influencing art traditions in Greece and beyond during the early classical period.