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Lot Essay
The Diosphos Painter was active at the beginning of the 5th Century B.C. and mainly specialised in decorating lekythoi in the black-figure technique, in a period when the most famous red-figure painters were producing their finest works.
The scene depicted in this lekythos shows Herakles defeating the fallen Kyknos, with Athena and Ares standing on either side, with nonsense inscriptions above the figures.
According to the myth, Herakles and his trusted companion Iolaus cross paths with Kyknos and the god Ares whilst riding a chariot on their way to Trachis. Herakles, instigated by Athena who is eager to settle an old dispute, attacks Kyknos and then manages to wound the god Ares.
For another very similar white ground lekythos by the Diosphos Painter depicting Herakles and Iolaos fighting the Lenaean Hydra with the help of Athena now in the collection of the Louvre, cf. inventory no. CA 598.
The scene depicted in this lekythos shows Herakles defeating the fallen Kyknos, with Athena and Ares standing on either side, with nonsense inscriptions above the figures.
According to the myth, Herakles and his trusted companion Iolaus cross paths with Kyknos and the god Ares whilst riding a chariot on their way to Trachis. Herakles, instigated by Athena who is eager to settle an old dispute, attacks Kyknos and then manages to wound the god Ares.
For another very similar white ground lekythos by the Diosphos Painter depicting Herakles and Iolaos fighting the Lenaean Hydra with the help of Athena now in the collection of the Louvre, cf. inventory no. CA 598.