Retro seems to be all the rage these days. There are retro sports shirts, shoes, video games, movies, etc. The old is new again. Some wall decorations, like wall vases, celebrate retro art styles. While some styles are traditional, others are so retro that they borrow styles from ancient Greek pottery. After the Greek vases began to flourish, they began to use the black-figure technique. However, Greek pottery would continue to evolve.
HUMANS, CREATURES AND STORIES
After the Greeks began to include human figures in their vases, they began to add other images as well. Many of these objects were mythological in nature. However, it is fascinating how they described scenes from Greek literature. Today, we use illustrations from books to show a particular scene in a story. Instead, the Greeks grouped certain objects or even created new figures that had not previously appeared in the original stories. The best Black-Figure artists of this time would infuse their own experiences into their artwork.
RED IS THE NEW BLACK
Over time, Greek artists became limited in their artistic expression, due to the limits of the Black-Figure technique. Therefore, around 530-525 BC. C., began to develop a new style of vase painting, called the red figure technique. The figures remain in the color of clay and therefore turn red when someone heats the vase. In this spirit, the creators of the wall vase always strive to improve their craftsmanship.
Greek artists used one of the two main techniques. One method was to use a black polish to create a very fine line that rose a bit. This line was a relief line. Meanwhile, the other method was to use a diluted enamel whose shade varied from dark brown to light yellow. The artists also applied the glaze as a solid wash to certain sections of the vase.
BLACK, FUNDS AND PROFITS
The backgrounds of the vases created with the red figure technique were also significant. This area included the space between and around the figures in the vase. Now, the area was a glossy black hue. This was in stark contrast to the black-figure vases that viewers seemed to see against the light. However, when using the red figure method, each figure seemed to be covered by a personal spotlight!
Just as a modern wall vase can enliven a room, the new Red-Figure method created some significant benefits for viewers. The spectators of the vases could see it better from long distances. Also, the decorations on the vase wore less of its shape. The black background combined with the areas of the vase without figures. As a result, the shape of the vase was restored and the silhouette or outline of the vase was highlighted.
It is quite surprising how the black figure method descended from prominence in the late 7th century BC. C., to become practically obsolete a century later. However, even the red figure method would eventually lose its prominence. Some of today’s contemporary wall decorations, like wall vases, are retro Greek. Use them to turn something old into something new!