Figures in Red: Red-figure technique in ancient vase painting

In this five-minute animated video, journey back to the 6th-century BCE workshop of the Athenian master Andokides and witness an ancient artist’s moment of creative ingenuity. For generations Athenian vase painters had employed black-figure technique, in which the figure is painted in a mixture of clay and water called slip and details are incised with a sharp tool.

At some point—we don't know precisely when or why—a vase painter had the idea to reverse the scheme, leaving the figures the color of the clay and painting details with a brush. We now call this red-figure technique. Learn how ancient vase painters created vases in both styles and marvel at the technical virtuosity of the multi-step firing process that contributed to their distinctive, high-contrast look.

[karlarden]

At 2:08, this lovely animation features the Song of Seikilios, the oldest extant piece of music on earth. Bloody beautiful.

[DebbyC-ui]

I showed this to multiple classes of elementary students, and every single class begged to see it a second time! I heard many kids comment that it was "relaxing." The animation is beautifully done and the story was compelling. Please make more!

[MichaelaKehoeArted]

Showed this to my high school ceramics class. Thank you!

[nataliajosefson]

Animated videos like this are the best way to perceive information and spark interest. Thanks, MFA team!

[clarajung]

this is sooo good made and soo underated

[lulococo]

The music is clearly Michael Levy, as confirmed by the credits at the end. He should also be credited in the description for accessibility reasons.

[protyaychakraborty]

This was found in Indus Valley Civilization, India as well

[arturdornellesferreira]

Why did yall make the ceramist such a hunk 😫😫

[Dragon-Slayr]

Vase becomes a square and has one Dred on the right of the square, don't call me bastard next time 😂

[Dr.Yalex.]

Everything in Ancient Greece was "stolen" from Egypt. Including ceramics 
κερᾰμεύς (kerameús, “potter”) has a cognate in Mycenaean Greek (16th to 12th centuries BC, before the Dorian Invasion), Linear B 𐀐𐀨𐀕𐀄 (ke-ra-me-u /kerameus/) of the same meaning.
The Mycenaean language is preserved in Linear B writing, which consists of about 200 syllabic signs and logograms. Since Linear B was derived from Linear A, the script of an undeciphered Minoan language, the sounds of Mycenaean are not fully represented.
Minoan Crete in turn, was like a "northern colony" of Egypt for a thousand years...

[jeannerose]

I have a test on this, you saved me :, )