Achilles Painter

Who is Achilles Painter?

The Achilles Painter, was a vase-painter active ca. 470-425 BC. His name vase is an amphora, Vatican 16571, in the Vatican museums depicting Achilles. The amphora is dated 450-445 BC. An armed and armored Achilles gazes pensively to the right with one hand on his hip. The other hand holds a spear. On the opposite surface a woman performs libation.

Sir John Beazley attributed over 200 vases to his hand, the largest share being red-figure and white-ground lekythoi. In his middle phase, he decorates more open forms. The Achilles Painter was a late pupil of the Berlin Painter.

The Phiale Painter became the Achilles Painter's most prominent student after he assumed the Berlin Painter's workshop. Almost a dozen other recognizable painters passed through the Achilles Painter's workshop as well. Notable painters include the Westreenen Painter, the Persephone Painter, the Clio Painter, Loeb Painter, and the Dwarf Painter. The Kleophon Painter, the Sabouroff Painter, and the Painter of Munich 2335 all spent time at the workshop as well.