Vases › Red-figure
Technique

Red-figure

Period c. 530–320 BC
Collection 35588 vases
The technique that revolutionised Greek vase painting. Figures are left in the natural red clay colour while the background is painted black. This allowed painters to use a brush for internal details instead of an incising tool, enabling far greater naturalism, anatomical detail, and emotional expression.
35588 examples
Terracotta neck-amphora (jar) with twisted handles
Terracotta neck-amphora (jar) with twisted handles
the Matsch Painter · Amphora · ca. 480 BCE
Kylix (drinking cup): Woman Pouring a Libation at an Altar
Kylix (drinking cup): Woman Pouring a Libation at an Altar
the Akestorides Painter · Kylix · 480-470 BCE
Red-Figure Skyphos Fragment (part of 93.AE.54)
Red-Figure Skyphos Fragment (part of 93.AE.54)
Kleophrades Painter · Skyphos · about 480–470 B.C.
Attic Red-Figure Hydria Fragment (comprised of 2 Joined Fragments)
Attic Red-Figure Hydria Fragment (comprised of 2 Joined Fragments)
Eucharides Painter · Hydria · 480–470 B.C.
Attic Red-Figure Column Krater
Attic Red-Figure Column Krater
Tyszkiewicz Painter · Krater · about 480–470 B.C.
Terracotta kylix (drinking cup)
Terracotta kylix (drinking cup)
Signed by Hieron · Kylix · ca. 480 BCE
Attic Red-Figure Amphora or Pelike Fragment
Attic Red-Figure Amphora or Pelike Fragment
Amphora · about 480–460 B.C.
Attic Red-Figure Cup
Attic Red-Figure Cup
Douris · Kylix · about 480 B.C.
Attic Red-Figure Kylix Fragment
Attic Red-Figure Kylix Fragment
Foundry Painter · Kylix · about 480–470 B.C.
Attic Red-Figure Cup
Attic Red-Figure Cup
Foundry Painter · Kylix · about 480 B.C.
Red-Figure Kalpis
Red-Figure Kalpis
Group of the Floral Nolans · 480–470 B.C.
Terracotta jug with horse's head in relief
Terracotta jug with horse's head in relief
480–350 BCE
Attic Red-Figure Hydria Fragment
Attic Red-Figure Hydria Fragment
Berlin Painter · Hydria · about 480 B.C.
Jug
Jug
480–400 BCE
Terracotta column-krater (bowl for mixing wine and water)
Terracotta column-krater (bowl for mixing wine and water)
Attributed to Myson · Krater · ca. 480 BCE
Terracotta lekythos (oil flask)
Terracotta lekythos (oil flask)
The Berlin Painter · Lekythos · ca. 480 BCE
Attic Red-Figure Mule's Head Rhyton Fragment
Attic Red-Figure Mule's Head Rhyton Fragment
Brygos Painter · about 480 B.C.
Terracotta Nolan neck-amphora (jar)
Terracotta Nolan neck-amphora (jar)
Attributed to the Providence Painter · Amphora · ca. 480 BCE
Terracotta Nolan neck-amphora (jar)
Terracotta Nolan neck-amphora (jar)
Attributed to the Group of the Floral Nolans · Amphora · ca. 480 BCE
Attic Red-Figure Kalpis Fragment (part of 85.AE.188)
Attic Red-Figure Kalpis Fragment (part of 85.AE.188)
Kleophrades Painter · about 480 B.C.
Attic Red-Figure Pelike Fragment (part of 86.AE.199.1)
Attic Red-Figure Pelike Fragment (part of 86.AE.199.1)
Geras Painter · Pelike · about 480–470 B.C.
Terracotta kylix (drinking cup)
Terracotta kylix (drinking cup)
the Briseis Painter · Kylix · ca. 480–470 BCE
Stamnos (Mixing Jar)
Stamnos (Mixing Jar)
Syriskos · Stamnos · 480-470 BCE
Feet on a plinth
Feet on a plinth
ca. 480–400 BCE
Terracotta kylix (drinking cup)
Terracotta kylix (drinking cup)
Attributed to the manner of the Pistoxenos Painter · Kylix · ca. 480–470 BCE
Right foot
Right foot
ca. 480–400 BCE
Terracotta kylix (drinking cup)
Terracotta kylix (drinking cup)
Attributed to Makron · Kylix · ca. 480 BCE
Terracotta lekythos (oil flask)
Terracotta lekythos (oil flask)
Attributed to the Brygos Painter · Lekythos · ca. 480 BCE
Attic Red-Figure Pelike Fragment (part of 86.AE.199.1)
Attic Red-Figure Pelike Fragment (part of 86.AE.199.1)
Argos Painter · Pelike · about 480–470 B.C.
Fragmentary Attic Red-Figure Oinochoe
Fragmentary Attic Red-Figure Oinochoe
Painter of the 14th Brygos · Oinochoe · about 480 B.C.
Terracotta kylix (drinking cup)
Terracotta kylix (drinking cup)
Attributed to the Brygos Painter · Kylix · ca. 480–470 BCE
Attic Red-Figure Lid Fragment (part of 81.AE.206.D.2015, comprised of 2 Joining Fragments)
Attic Red-Figure Lid Fragment (part of 81.AE.206.D.2015, comprised of 2 Joining Fragments)
Onesimos · 480–470 B.C.
Terracotta kylix (drinking cup)
Terracotta kylix (drinking cup)
Attributed to the Painter of New York GR 576 · Kylix · ca. 480 BCE
Terracotta Nolan neck-amphora (jar)
Terracotta Nolan neck-amphora (jar)
the Oionokles Painter · Amphora · ca. 480–470 BCE
Terracotta kylix (drinking cup)
Terracotta kylix (drinking cup)
Signed by Hieron · Kylix · ca. 480 BCE
Terracotta lekythos (oil flask)
Terracotta lekythos (oil flask)
the Tithonos Painter · Lekythos · ca. 480–470 BCE
Terracotta lekythos (oil flask)
Terracotta lekythos (oil flask)
the Tithonos Painter · Lekythos · ca. 480 BCE
Terracotta kylix (drinking cup)
Terracotta kylix (drinking cup)
Attributed to the Brygos Painter · Kylix · ca. 480–470 BCE
Attic Red-Figure Cup Fragment
Attic Red-Figure Cup Fragment
Brygos Painter · Kylix · about 480 B.C.
Terracotta oinochoe (jug) in the form of a Black African's head
Terracotta oinochoe (jug) in the form of a Black African's head
Oinochoe · ca. 480 BCE
Terracotta pelike (jar)
Terracotta pelike (jar)
Attributed to the Geras Painter · Pelike · ca. 480 BCE
Attic Red-Figure Pelike Fragment
Attic Red-Figure Pelike Fragment
Argos Painter · Pelike · about 480–470 B.C.
Terracotta kylix (drinking cup)
Terracotta kylix (drinking cup)
Signed by Hieron · Kylix · ca. 480 BCE
Terracotta column-krater (bowl for mixing wine and water)
Terracotta column-krater (bowl for mixing wine and water)
Myson · Krater · ca. 480 BCE
Attic Red-Figure Hydria Fragment
Attic Red-Figure Hydria Fragment
Berlin Painter · Hydria · about 480 B.C.
Attic Red-Figure Kylix Fragment
Attic Red-Figure Kylix Fragment
Kylix · 480–470 B.C.
Terracotta hydria: kalpis (water jar)
Terracotta hydria: kalpis (water jar)
Attributed to the Syleus Painter · Hydria · ca. 480–470 BCE
Attic Red-Figure Pelike Fragment
Attic Red-Figure Pelike Fragment
Geras Painter · Pelike · about 480–470 B.C.
Terracotta psykter-column-krater (vase for chilling and mixing wine and water)
Terracotta psykter-column-krater (vase for chilling and mixing wine and water)
the Troilos Painter · Krater · 480–470 BC
Terracotta neck-amphora of Panathenaic shape (jar)
Terracotta neck-amphora of Panathenaic shape (jar)
Attributed to the Syleus Painter · Amphora · ca. 480–470 BCE
Jug
Jug
480–400 BCE
Rhyton (Drinking Vessel) in the Shape of a Donkey Head
Rhyton (Drinking Vessel) in the Shape of a Donkey Head
the Painter of London E 55 · 480-470 BCE
Attic Red-Figure Stamnos
Attic Red-Figure Stamnos
Eucharides Painter · Stamnos · about 480–470 B.C.
Attic Red-Figure Kalpis Fragment
Attic Red-Figure Kalpis Fragment
Troilos Painter · about 480–470 B.C.
Attic Red-Figure Mule's Head Rhyton Fragment (comprised of 6 joined fragments)
Attic Red-Figure Mule's Head Rhyton Fragment (comprised of 6 joined fragments)
Brygos Painter · about 480 B.C.
Attic Red-Figure Pelike Fragment (part of 86.AE.199.1)
Attic Red-Figure Pelike Fragment (part of 86.AE.199.1)
Argos Painter · Pelike · about 480–470 B.C.
Jug
Jug
480–400 BCE
Jug
Jug
480–310 BCE
Red-Figure Skyphos Fragment (part of 93.AE.54)
Red-Figure Skyphos Fragment (part of 93.AE.54)
Kleophrades Painter · Skyphos · about 480–470 B.C.
Attic Red-Figure Kylix Fragment
Attic Red-Figure Kylix Fragment
Kylix · about 480 B.C.
Images courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (CC0)