NEAR THE ORCHARD PAINTER, CIRCA 450 B.C.

This vase depicts Demeter standing with her hand raised beside the chariot of Triptolemos. In Greek mythology, Triptolemos, an Eleusinian prince, hospitably welcomes the goddess when she mourns the loss of her daughter Persephone. Upon Persephone's return from the underworld, Demeter thanks Triptolemos by teaching him the art of agriculture and gives him a winged, serpent-drawn chariot. The reverse scene shows a a draped youth, perhaps Triptolemos, holding a staff and facing in Demeter's direction.