Reclining on a couch, a balding man tilts his head back and sings, accompanying himself on the lyre. Several features of the scene, such as the couch, the pillow, and especially the wreath the man wears, reveal that he is a participant at a symposion or drinking party. Many Greek vases, especially elaborate cups, were designed for use at such parties. Therefore, vase-painters frequently decorated these vessels with scenes of revelry and drinking.
The circular area or tondo on the interior of a cup often presented challenges for Greek vase-painters. Some drew a line across the circle to create an artificial ground-line for their figures, and on this vase, the line across the circle suggests the man's couch. The edge of the man's mantle slipping down behind and below this line creates an impression of depth and space. The vase-painter also used the circular frame of the tondo as part of the composition: it supports the man's pillow, and he props his foot on it.
The circular area or tondo on the interior of a cup often presented challenges for Greek vase-painters. Some drew a line across the circle to create an artificial ground-line for their figures, and on this vase, the line across the circle suggests the man's couch. The edge of the man's mantle slipping down behind and below this line creates an impression of depth and space. The vase-painter also used the circular frame of the tondo as part of the composition: it supports the man's pillow, and he props his foot on it.
Images courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (CC0)