Indiana University Indiana University IU

Browse the collection

Red-Figure Cup (Kylix) with Arming Scenes

This wide, shallow cup has a stemmed foot and two handles. On the outside of the cup men in various poses are preparing for war. The orangish-red figures stand out against a black background. On the inside (not seen in this photo), one man is also dressing himself; he holds a spear and his helmet an armor are on ground beside him.

This wide, shallow cup has a stemmed foot and two handles. On the outside of the cup men in various poses are preparing for war. The orangish-red figures stand out against a black background. On the inside (not seen in this photo), one man is also dressing himself; he holds a spear and his helmet an armor are on ground beside him.

Attributed To The Foundry Painter
Culture Greek
Title Red-Figure Cup (Kylix) with Arming Scenes
Date 490–470 BCE
Medium Terracotta
Dimensions Overall: 9 3/4 in. (24.8 cm)
Credit Line Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University
Accession Number 75.19.1

Share this artwork!

About this Work

This drinking cup depicts young men putting on their armor on both the interior and exterior of the vessel. The subject matter illustrated on drinking cups often served as points for discussion. Since the aristocratic men gathered at symposia would have been required to participate in military activity, this subject matter would have been particularly appropriate. Moreover, heroic warfare was often the subject of the musical and poetic performances which were presented during the symposium. This cup is also a fine example of the red-figure technique and calls attention to the skill of the vase-painter in presenting the human figure in a variety of naturalistic poses—these themes, too, could have stimulated conversation.


1975, Indiana University Art Museum purchase from Bank Leu AG, Zurich, Switzerland [1]

Notes

[1] Bank Leu AG (Ltd) was a Swiss private bank from 1755-2007. In 1949, Leo Mildenberg (1913-2001) was hired to manage the numismatic department within the bank, and, under his guidance, this branch of the bank became a successful auction house. Mildenberg continued as a managing director at Bank Leu until his retirement in 1983; he was also well-known as a scholar and philanthropist.

Provenance research is ongoing for this and many other items in the Eskenazi Museum of Art permanent collection. For more information about the provenance of this artwork, please contact the department curator with specific questions.

January 25–April 15, 1981, "Ancient Art from Indiana Unversity," Art Museum of University of Texas, Austin, TX

Viewing Information
This artwork is currently on view.

 

Request this Image
The Eskenazi Museum of Art provides images of its collection, free of charge, upon request. This artwork is under copyright protection. You can request the image and it will be emailed to you when the request is complete.

Cite this Page
"Red-Figure Cup (Kylix) with Arming Scenes | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2025. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=75.19.1