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classic Vase PaintingIn modern society, Greek pottery is considered an art which is regarded as much for its aesthetic splendor as its historical significance. However, the division of pottery in ancient Greek culture was far more functional as its primary use was for the transportation and storage of such liquids as water and wine (Encyclopedia Britannica). Due to the durability of the fired clay material, Greek pottery is the only remaining art form that allows us to explore the ontogenesis of this ancient culture. Through that examination, trio distinct stylistic periods have been unveiled Geometric, Orientalizing and Archaic. This analysis will detail these distinct periods as well as three design techniques prevalently used black figure, red figure and white groundThe first definable period of Greek pottery, Geometric (c. 900-700 BCE), accounts for the majority of ancient vase impression still in existence today and as such, affords us the broadest view into this art form. The period attributes its name to the geometric forms that artists used to detail their vessels. The primary nonfunctional motifs that distinguish the period include parallel lines, concentric (Metropolitan Museum of artistic production)rituals as depicted in this Krater from 750 BCE which is characteristic of this era.The primary scene that occupies the widest portion of this particular vase depicts a dead soul body placed on its side on a funeral bier surrounded by family members and mourners. The secondary zone below details a procession of clam drawn chariots and soldiers carrying hourglass shields. The illustration of people and animals is both abstract and two-dimensional as artists of the Geometric era regularly used triangular torsos and long thin blazon and legs (Stokstad, 160). The second distinct period which originated in Corinth in 700 BCE and spanned one hundred years is now known as the Orientalizing period. This period gets its name from the introduction of Egyp tian and Eastern influences on Greek pottery during this time. The impact of foreign styles lead to the introduction of the black-figure technique that has come to epitomize the era. In Black-figure painting, figures and ornaments were drawn in silhouette on the natural clay surface of the vase ... ...des us with a glimpse into the ancient culture using beautiful and detailed designs. The art form has been prolong in fired clay for thousands of years indiscriminately telling its story to the world and to history.Bibliography1.Chamoux, Francois. The Pallas Library of Art Greek Art. Greenwich, New York. Graphic Society. 1966. 2. Stokstad, Marilyn. Art History. New York, New York. Harry Abrams, Inc. 2002.3. Black Figure. http//www.beazley.ox.ac.uk/CGPrograms/Dict/ASP/OpenDictionary.asp?nameblack-figure.html 10 November 2004.4. Red Figure. http//www.beazley.ox.ac.uk/CGPrograms/Dict/ASP/OpenDictionary.asp?namered- figure.html 10 November 2004.5. Orientalizing. http//www.beazley.ox.ac.u k/Pottery/Lecture1/Script/GreekPaintedPottery1.asp30 September 2004.6. Greek Pottery. http//www.search.eb.com/search?query=pottery&ct=eb 11 November 2004.7. Greek and Roman Art. http//www.metmuseum.org/Works_of_Art/viewHigh.asp?dep=13&full=0&set=3 11 November 2004.